Luisa García Chamorro has become the first female mayor of Motril in its long history. She takes over from Carlos Rojas, who has unwillingly vacated the mayoralty to become a regional member of parliament.

Sr. Rojas and Mayor, Luisa García are close working companions within the municipal political scene, so the ceremonial handing over of the mayor’s baton was an emotional moment for them both.

The changeover, however, is not without its controversial undertones, as Carlos Rojas had promised not to abandon Motril during his re-election campaign – he made this pledge, confident that his party would win the Regional Parliament and immediately overturn a law that prohibits politicians holding both municipal and regional posts.

The controversy is further served by the fact that the new Mayor also holds a post in the Provincial Council, which she does not appear willing to give up.

However, accusations launched by the opposition party, the PSOE, that she has become the Mayor of Motril without winning an election, does smack of certain hypocrisy when considering that the actual First Minister of the Andaluz Regional Parliament, Jose Griñan (PSOE) did not win that office in the urns, either.

Controversy apart, Mayor García Chamorro, said, “I want to send out a message of progress to the residents of Motril; one of hope. I want them to know that I am accompanied by a professional team of men and women, with experience and youth, with a desire for hard work and equipped with a capacity for resolution.”

Luisa María García Chamorro was born in Motril on the 29th of January, 1968. She has an university degree in Law, as well as Political Science, which she obtained at the University of Granada. She is the second of four children.

Here, from the Seaside Gazette, we congratulate the Mayor on her new appointment and wish her good luck in these difficult times.