The highest court of Castilla y León (Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Castilla y León) has upheld a ban on increasing stipends for municipal councilors from the Partido Popular (PP) and Vox in the city of La Bañeza. The case concerns an attempt to raise their own salaries by 31% retroactively, which sparked strong reactions from local residents and the opposition.
Court Ruling: Reasons and Consequences
Judges concluded that the initiative to raise salaries was driven solely by the personal interests of the councilors, rather than the needs of the municipality. Moreover, the plan was to make the increase retroactive, compensating for unpaid amounts from previous periods. Arguments that the city administration could not function without the extra payments were rejected as unfounded and unsupported by evidence.
Role of the Opposition and Official Response
The lawsuit was filed by representatives of the regional UPL (Unión del Pueblo Leonés) movement, who insisted that the ruling coalition’s actions violated principles of transparency and fairness. After their initial attempt to secure the pay raise through the local court failed, PP and Vox councilors appealed to the higher court, but were denied again. The court noted that the additional payments could harm the city budget, and that reclaiming the funds if the decision were ultimately overturned would be extremely difficult.
Political Consequences for La Bañeza
For La Bañeza, this decision was significant: the city remains the only one in the province of León where Vox is represented in the municipal government. The coalition formed after the 2023 elections faced a major challenge from the opposition, which now claims victory for democratic oversight. According to UPL representatives, the court halted an attempt to disguise personal gain as public interest and prevented the misuse of taxpayer funds.
Ultimately, the court’s decision not only blocked the controversial pay raise but also underscored the importance of transparency in local government operations. For the residents of La Bañeza, it served as proof that political accountability is both possible and effective.
