Grass-roots, citizen pressure groups in Motril have shifted onto the political stage by forming a new local party and competing in the May elections.

Two groups that came into being as facebook entities; one protesting outside the old EVA-9 airbase to prevent it being used to hold immigrants, and the other forming night patrols to thwart break ins, have decided that they can do more for making Motril a better place to live by facing politicians in the Municipal Elections.

Two names that come to the forefront are Sonia Hidalgo and Ana Rubia. Sonia, a school teacher, was one of the names behind the airbase protest and barely two months ago joined Ana in her street-safety patrols.

To be able to form a political party, Motril Dice, they need 1,500 signature and they are confident that they can achieve this.

Sonia, for example, has received offers from existing political parties to join them but, although it would be easier, they don’t want to sink into the existing political set up; they want to breathe some fresh air into Motril.

Forming a local political party wasn’t on their agenda when these facebook pressure groups formed – somebody might have joked about it, but nobody took it seriously until now.

(News: Motril, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)