Toni Miralles Niell returns the mayoralty to the socialists of Montuïri 40 years later

MontuïriThe plenary hall of the Montuïri Town Hall was too small to accommodate all the people who wanted to attend the inauguration of Toni Miralles NiellChocolatier, as the new mayor of Montuïri. He has done so in accordance with the governing pact with Més per Montuïri, which gives the mayorship to the Socialists until the end of this term, 42 years and one month after the last PSIB-PSOE mayor took office.

The Socialists' accession to the mayoralty comes after ten years of support for the governing pact that removed the PP from the mayorship after 28 consecutive years in power. Thus, in 2015, the Socialists provided external support to the governing team ofJoan VergerAnd it was during this term that they included the option of the mayoralty in the municipal government agreement.

The plenary session began a little over twenty minutes late due to the absence of a councilor from MÁS who arrived late for work reasons. However, Toni Miralles Niell was elected the new mayor as planned. In his opening remarks, he explained that "through dialogue, participation, and the conviction that municipal politics is the service closest to the citizens, I invite you to walk together, to continue building a vibrant, cohesive, modern, sustainable town, proud of its identity."

The weight of history, and the 40 years without a socialist mayor, were also present in his speech. "I assume this responsibility with respect, with awareness of the historical significance of this moment, and with a commitment to represent our values with dignity, approachability, and public service."

He also had words for his colleagues in government, noting that in recent years Montuïri has had "committed, responsible, and generous governing teams," and added that working with the outgoing mayor,Paula Maria Amengual NicolauIt has been a time of "dialogue, institutional loyalty, and where working together is the path to moving the people forward." Miralles also expressed his gratitude for the commitment and support of his party, the PSIB-PSOE, and especially to the members of the Montuïri Socialist Group. He also addressed the PP, in opposition, saying, "I ask for a constructive, rigorous, and responsible opposition. An opposition that looks after the good of the people and is capable of contributing with ideas and proposals." In his inaugural address, he also made references to his voters "for their trust" and to the people in general: "I pledge to listen, engage in dialogue, and act with fairness, always with the common good in mind."

Finally, thanks to his family. Miralles is the son of Gabriel Miralles Pizà, a long-time socialist in the town, and he too couldn't help but get emotional when he recalled becoming a father: "In a few months, I will have the great joy of becoming a father for the first time. And this new stage has made me reflect even more on what's to come."

Antich, a role model

In fact, the importance of the event was evident in the support it received from its party, with the presence of Alfons Rodríguez, the Government Delegate; Amanda Fernández, the General Secretary of the Socialist Federation of Mallorca; Tolo Aguilar, the party's president; and the Secretaries of Organization of the PSIB, Cosme Bonet, and of the FSM, Ares Fernández. The Socialist delegation also included Catalina Cladera, Mercedes Garrido, Bea Gamundí, Jaume Mateu, Joan Méndez, and Miguel Ángel Coll, as well as one of the two Socialist mayors of Pla de Mallorca, Pep Lluís Urraca of Santa Eugenia. The mayor of Algaida, Margalida Fullana, was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict between the Montuïri plenary session and the Algaida Town Council's regular meeting. Also present was Catalina Perelló, a Socialist councilor from Sant Joan, who will be elected mayor of her town in early 2026, where she has a coalition agreement with Més. From that moment on, the PSIB will hold four mayoralties in the Pla de Mallorca. Regarding the socialist family, Miralles paid tribute to Francesc Antich, who passed away last January: "Allow me to remember, with special emotion, a person who was an undisputed role model for many of us and, above all, a friend: former president Francesc Antich." He highlighted "his generosity, his commitment, and his loyalty." "He left us a few months ago, but his example and his way of understanding politics continue to influence us," he added. With the inauguration of Toni Miralles Niell, the socialists of Montuïri return to the mayor's office after 40 years, since Joan Miralles Julià was the last mayor.FelanitxerHe became mayor after the 1983 elections.

In those 1983 elections, Miquel Cardell (AP-PDP-UL) was initially elected mayor. It was only between June and November, after an appeal to the electoral board filed by the Socialists, that the majority was transferred to what would become the pact between them and the PSM.Francesc TrobatMiralles Julià, who had already served as mayor during the first democratic term (1979-83), was elected mayor between 1983 and 1985. Thus, Miralles Niell now becomes the town's second socialist mayor since the return of democracy. Finally, it should be noted that in his speech, Miralles referred to his involvement with the town's community organizations. The local brass band, the Cossiers (a local social club), and other sports and cultural groups have all seen Miralles actively participate.