Immense shame

As a member of the Popular Party, I feel enormous shame for what José Manuel Soria has demonstrated in these days.

Upon reading the title of this opinion article, and the first paragraph, some may have interpreted that the shame I feel is for Soria's management as Mayor of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, or for his management as President of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, or for when he was Minister of Economy and Vice President of the Government of the Canary Islands, or for his balance as Minister of the Government of Spain.  Big mistake!

On the contrary, I am fully proud of how the City of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria changed, for his management at the head of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, for his defense of the Canary Islands in his stage of the Canarian government and for his indisputable fight for the general interest of the Spanish people and, of course, for that of all the Canarians.  The rehabilitation of the Guanarteme neighborhood, the ring road of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the spectacular expansion towards the upper area of the capital, the economic recovery of the City Council, the promotion of the historical and archaeological heritage of Gran Canaria, the island's commitment to social and socio-health care, the determined island policy of care for women and the elderly, the historic early prevention of the economic crisis in the Canary Islands with its exemplary financial and budgetary viability, the beginning of the reduction of the Spanish electricity tariff deficit, the courageous end of unsustainable premiums for renewables, the successful national energy policy that included oil exploration, the effective tourism policy and the change in the industrial model are just some examples of the magnificent management of José Manuel Soria's extensive political career.

José Manuel Soria has always intimidated the politicians around him due to his extraordinary ability to succeed in the management of his responsibilities.  That profile is only presented by outstanding managers and he has been one of them.

I have supported José Manuel Soria since 1999 in the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, when he commissioned me to set up the Municipal Sports Institute, later as a Senior Official of the Government of the Canary Islands and also as a Deputy.  My last support, together with my wife, was last Monday the 11th in the front row at the event organized by the Popular Party of Lanzarote in Arrecife.  That day was the day that the "Panama Papers" issue came to public opinion and in which Soria gave explanations denying any participation and responsibility in the scandal.  I ended up convinced of the integrity of the politician and I don't think I'm wrong in stating that with me, a good part of the entire popular family and Spaniards outside the Party ended up convinced.  His effective speech and the promptness of the response were absolutely convincing.

José Manuel Soria has done the worst thing a politician can do: ask for the trust of his Party colleagues, and of citizens in general, knowing that he is not worthy of it and trying exclusively to save himself without measuring the damage caused.  Just as the doctor who successfully operated on 12,000 patients and the 12,001 dies due to severe negligence destroys his prestige, Soria's reputation as a manager has been ruined by himself and he goes down in history as the selfish liar he has proven to be.  The Popular Party and myself can only apologize from our condition of being deceived.

By Sigfrid Soria