The former councilor of Nueva Canarias in the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Daisy Villalba, offered a press conference this Monday to explain the reasons that motivated her resignation from the act in the first island institution. This situation leaves the party with one less representative, since the next on the list is Armando Santana, who resigned last May 2023 from his organic positions within Nueva Canarias and abandoned politics.
Daisy Villalba has had to leave her position as councilor after the Human Resources area of the Cabildo decreed the "incompatibility" after passing an opposition to access as an official of group A1 to the Cabildo of Lanzarote. "Before knowing the position, they say there is incompatibility. The law guarantees that you retain your two rights: official and public official."
The nationalist attributes the problem to "the interpretation" made by Human Resources of the concept "intern official". According to the jurists consulted by Nueva Canarias, it would not be incompatible to be an intern official and maintain her position as an elected councilor in the Cabildo.
Thus, she has asked the citizens and her party colleagues to "understand the reason" for her decision and not to start a judicial process. "I wish I had the necessary security, but not for lack of support, which I have. No one assures me that this process will end well. I have never had the ambition to be in politics but to do politics and improve people's lives," she said.
Accompanied by the Insular Executive of the party and visibly excited, Villalba explained that she has been working as a social worker for more than 15 years. In these years she had different responsibilities alongside women victims of gender violence and as director in shelters for minors. Currently, she combined her work as a social worker of the Government of the Canary Islands with her seat in the Cabildo of Lanzarote.
During these last two years, the Canarian was studying some oppositions to obtain the A2 position as a social worker and official in the Cabildo of Lanzarote. After obtaining the first position on the list, Villalba will begin her internship in the first institution on August 1.
"The colleagues are in politics to do politics and not to be in politics," Villalba defended, while pointing out that within Nueva Canarias "we all have our jobs outside of this activity and we have exercised our jobs in the public or private sector." To conclude, Villalba has thanked Yoné Caraballo and the rest of the Executive of Nueva Canarias for their support.
In addition, she will continue at the head of the vice presidency of NC in Lanzarote and as national secretary of Social Rights of Nueva Canarias.
Armando Santana, next on the list
The insular secretary of Nueva Canarias in Lanzarote, Yoné Caraballo, has intervened after Villalba to dedicate a few words to his party colleague. "I feel sorry because there is no person who can contribute more to the Cabildo of Lanzarote than you. That is why I have felt sadness these days. On behalf of the entire Executive, thank you," he added.
Caraballo has indicated that "Nueva Canarias does a different policy, without tension." He also highlighted that during this year as councilor, together with Óscar Noda, he managed to focus on "health transport, housing and social rights."
"We have doubts about the alleged incompatibility. We have been advising with jurists, magistrates and professors. The conclusion we draw is that it is compatible with the exercise of public representation, which is a fundamental right," he said.
At the same time, he pointed out that "we do a disservice to democracy, if we have to choose between one and the other. The rights of a citizen who wanted to represent part of the citizens of Lanzarote have been remembered."
Regarding the next on the list, Armando Santana, Yoné Caraballo has assured that they have registered a document where they state the situation of Santana, who requested his resignation on May 30, 2023.
"Armando Santana does not belong to Nueva Canarias, neither organically nor politically," he insisted, in addition Cabarallo has highlighted that after talking with Román Rodríguez, the leadership "has made it clear that Armando Santana is not from Nueva Canarias."
