Mario Blancke sworn in as Mayor of Alcaucin

Alcaucín invests Belgian Mayor Mario Blancke

On Saturday 13th June, in an ayuntamiento hall crammed to overflowing, with scores of people waiting in the corridor and stairs, Belgian Mario Blancke,was sworn in as Alcalde.

He is one of the three Ciudadanos councillors elected for Alcaucín, who have formed a coalition with three PSOE councillors. These six have a majority  over the five remaining councillors, (four PP and one PA), after a very closely fought election. The plan to stand for election as a member of the Cuidadanos Party was formed in January, at the AGM of Save Our Homes in Axarquia.

After his investment as Alcalde to loud applause, Mario gave his inaugural speech, in which he thanked all the people who had given their help so generously during the long campaign. He believes this is a manifestation of growing unity within the town.

Mario thinks that he is probably not the first local Mayor to be born outside Spain, and although it might seem remarkable to have a foreign born mayor in Spain, it is not rare in Europe, with the Parisian Mayor being from Cadiz, and the French Prime Minister being born in Catalonia.

He said he hoped to promote the scenic and rustic beauty of Alcaucín widely in Andalusia and if possible throughout Spain, and everyone needs to work together to achieve this.  Each small effort might seem just a drop in the ocean, but the ocean needs every drop.

While not outlining specific plans, Mario said that some plans mooted by opposition parties are on the agenda, and that  all plans should be discussed in depth before their adoption, not after.  Government should be more open, with a discussion including all interested bodies.

Quoting Maxwell, Mario said;

“When you attempt something difficult, people say you won’t succeed

When they see they cannot stop you in your attempt, they will tell you how to do it.

If you succeed, they say they always believed you would.”

I ask you all to give me a chance to succeed

Mario then said that throughout his 25years living in Alcaucín he had seen good and bad changes, but has come to respect and believe profoundly in the villagers.  He then reminded people of Adolfo Suarez’ words “I can promise, and I promise”

Mario’s group’s promises to the village are:

We have come to unite, not to divide

We have come to reconcile, not to blame.

We cannot work miracles, but will do everything in our power to increase employment, without any discrimination.

We are not here to take from our village, but to do our best for it.

Finally we will work towards a better future, because the future is where we will spend the rest of our lives (Woody Allen)

Then the celebration moved outside,  and Mario moved informally around the square to a very friendly reception.

Mario has been the councillor with responsibility for urban development for the four previous years, and has become very popular with the large ex-pat community, and with a section of the established Spanish residents. The reason for his popularity is the hard work he has put in working on the legalisation of properties, (He is a founder member of SOHA.ES), and on garnering payments of IBI from newer residents to raise rates for  the Town Hall.

Friday also saw the investiture of Suzana Diaz as President of the Junta de Andalucia, after gaining the support of our party Ciudadanos for her investiture. This will give SOHA.ES some bargaining power when it comes to changes to the planning laws.