In a significant judicial ruling, the justice system has sided with the People's Party (PP) of Güímar, a municipality in the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. The court has annulled a decision made by the municipal plenary session that refused to demand the mayor and three councilors to return their illegally received salaries.
Background of the Case
The controversy arose when it was discovered that the mayor and three councilors of Güímar had received salaries that were deemed illegal. The PP, which is the main opposition party in the municipality, had pushed for the return of these salaries, arguing that the payments were unjustified.
Judicial Decision
On October 15, 2024, the court ruled that the plenary session's decision to reject the demand for the return of the salaries was invalid. The court's reasoning was based on the fact that the four individuals involved (the mayor and the three councilors) should have abstained from voting on the matter due to their direct interest in the outcome. This failure to abstain was seen as a violation of procedural rules and led to the annulment of the plenary session's decision.
Implications
This ruling has significant implications for the governance of Güímar. It underscores the importance of adhering to ethical and legal standards in municipal decision-making processes. The court's decision may also lead to further investigations and potential legal actions against the mayor and the councilors involved.
Reaction and Next Steps
The PP has welcomed the court's decision, seeing it as a victory for transparency and accountability in local government. The party is likely to continue pushing for the return of the illegal salaries and may seek additional measures to ensure that such irregularities do not occur in the future.
For expats living in the Canary Islands, this case highlights the ongoing efforts to maintain integrity in local governance and the role of the judicial system in upholding the law. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of ethical conduct among public officials and the consequences of failing to adhere to legal and procedural norms.
