Ferran Montero, new mayor of Manacor: "Power passes and responsibility remains"

PalmaFerran Montero Sitges is now the new mayor of Manacor. With thirteen votes in favor from MÉS-Esquerra and its partners from the PSOE and AIPC, the councilor for Education and Culture has received the political and physical baton from Miquel Oliver, who will continue as a part-time councilor. This Thursday evening, Oliver has completed, in his own words, a "rebranding" at the head of the Manacor City Council, currently the last major stronghold of the left in Mallorca.

'Responsibility' is the word with which Montero has summarized the challenge he assumes on "the most important day of my life". "The plenary session is made up of 21 chairs, but power passes and responsibility remains", were his first words as mayor. He also defended the right to make mistakes, provided that the corresponding responsibilities are assumed. "Being a councilor or being mayor is not a job. People entrust us with the decisions that affect their day-to-day lives. This is a public service", he stated.

In his inauguration speech, Montero acknowledged that these are difficult times, with families who cannot make ends meet and problems like access to housing and water. He also reminded that the territory is not infinite. "Manacor has great challenges. I assume the responsibility of being mayor with self-demand", he assured.

The new mayor also had words for his government partners, the PSOE and AIPC. "We are different parties, we do not think the same, but that is fine. The important thing is to reach agreements because we are at the service of the people", he said. In front of a room full of supporters and media, he made it clear that everyone can defend what they believe in, always with respect. Furthermore, he assured that he will defend the citizens of Manacor "against whoever is necessary", in reference to supramunicipal institutions.

"Manacor never ends"

For his part, Miquel Oliver is stepping aside to prepare the MÉS candidacy for the Council of Mallorca. "It has been a privilege to be the mayor of the town where I was born, where I live, and where I have raised my family," were the first words of his farewell speech.

Oliver has acknowledged that they have not done everything right. Although many actions have been promoted, others have remained pending, because "Manacor never ends. Being mayor has become an extreme sport." In this sense, he complained about administrative slowness: "In politics, wanting something is not enough. You need a budget, reports, agreements, and time. Sometimes it is a great frustration to know what you want to execute, but also to know that years will pass before it becomes a reality."

Oliver also did not want to hand over the municipal command staff without remembering the management of the pandemic and the perimeter lockdown of Manacor, a period of which he confessed to feeling proud. Among the pending matters, he mentioned the drinking water supply, the reception of various coastal areas, the management of the racetrack by the Council of Mallorca, and the construction of the new slaughterhouse.

Furthermore, he criticized the Government of the Balearic Islands and the Council of Mallorca because he believes that the different political color has influenced the treatment the municipality has received. "Manacor has not received the treatment it deserves as a regional capital," he lamented.

Regarding his successor, Oliver highlighted that Montero knows how the City Council works and has his own way of doing politics. "Ferran Montero knows the house. He has a different way of doing things. He is not a copy of Miquel Oliver. He has a strong team," he stated.

Oliver will continue as a part-time Councilor for Culture while preparing the MÉS candidacy for the Council of Mallorca. "I want to bring my municipalist experience to the Council. Mallorca needs left-wing policies," he declared.