Josep Castells will leave politics when the legislature ends: "I have never had to vote for something different from what I believed"
The deputy of Més per Menorca will close twelve years of trajectory in the Balearic Parliament
PalmaThe Més per Menorca deputy Josep Castells announced this Friday in a statement that he will not run in the party's primary elections. This means that at the end of the legislative term, he will cease to be a member of Parliament. "I will close a 12-year period during which I have had the immense satisfaction of representing the people of Menorca," he said, and assured that, during this period, he has carried out his parliamentary work "with absolute freedom." "I have never had to defend or vote for something different from what I believed needed to be voted for," he explained: "This, which may seem like an obvious fact, I have been able to verify in Parliament is a privilege, seeing how on many occasions the deputies of the main parties in the chamber have been forced to vote for things they did not believe in."
"I have always acted independently of particular interests", he continues in the letter: "I have never been afraid to say 'no' to a lobby group". As he explained, he decided months ago not to run for re-election. "First, for democratic hygiene", he stated: "The perpetuation in office is not positive". On the other hand, he assured that he is stepping aside "to facilitate the succession".
Castells is one of the best-known parliamentarians in the chamber. In his public letter, he expressed gratitude to his team in Parliament, among whom is fellow deputy Joana Gomila. "Thanks to all of them for having been able to work and learn together, overcoming the logical difficulties that involve different trajectories, temperaments, and visions". He also addressed the voters of Més per Menorca: "For casting their vote, of course, but also for having supported our work in many ways, both by sending us congratulations or suggestions and even criticisms". "I have never seen criticism as an attack, but as an opportunity for improvement", he explained. Despite leaving active politics, he assured that he will remain linked to Més per Menorca and to the island's associationism.