There is an interesting article in today’s newspaper, Información about the council sessions in Bigastro and the constant battle that rages between the spokesman for the opposition, Aurelio Murcia and the mayor, Raúl Valerio Medina in particular.
Apparently it is unusual to hold council sessions at night, that was a decision made by the previous mayor, José Joaquín Moya. Some would ague that it was unwise for the current mayor not to change that policy because it has left him open to a lot of abuse from the public who can find time to attend after work.
People in Bigastro go to the council sessions as they would to the cinema to be entertained and more often than not they are not disappointed. The seats that are available are quickly filled by those eager to observe and take part in the next episode of this unfolding drama.
Those that do get in are far from silent observers of the spectacle; they regularly show their approval by applauding and their disapproval by shouts and taunts to the politicians. For example they shout guapo* to Medina and sombra oronda, pelele, 'sagales' and 'chiguitos' or «eres tonto» implying that the mayor is still working in the shadows, that the mayor is a a dummy, that the councillors are little children and are stupid.
Given all this, it is not surprising that the sessions regularly end in chaos, even with people being escorted out by the police.
Of course these battles are not new; Murcia treated the previous mayor exactly the same. Indeed, the popular spokesman always been noted for his ability to deliver a hard phrase which is sharp and wounding - designed to be personal. Información puts this partly down to his love of the theatre because of course Murcia is the director of the local theatre group.
One phrase which Murcia used that the press often quotes was “Érase una vez un pueblo en el que gobernaba un pelele, una sombra y una pandilla de chiquitos” by which I think he means that the town is governed by a dummy working in the shadow of the former mayor and with a band of little people. I have to say it is hard to imagine David Cameron, leader of the opposition in the British parliament coming out with such a colourful expression.
Although Murcia did have respect for the former mayor who by all accounts was a great reader and orator, he shows little respect for the current mayor. Medina for his part, mostly avoids the taunts he gets but as they say, “mud sticks”. When things get really bad he resorts to reminding Murcia that he is the mayor and that Murcia must respect him. I remember one of the head teachers at the school where I worked saying much the same.
Of course it isn’t just the mayor that Murcia attacks, his other main target is Inmaculada Martínez, the first lieutenant to the mayor who makes comments back under her breath. Whilst the mayor can control her, he cannot control the public.
With the next elections only a year and a half away, this battle is not going to end soon. If anything, the council sessions could become even more colourful, goodness knows where that will leave us.
* I'd guess that Medina would prefer to be regarded for his statesman like qualities than his devilish good looks when he is in council meetings.
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