There was a sudden change of power in Soria (Castile and León): Javier Antón became the new mayor after 11 Socialist deputies resigned. This decision sparked a strong reaction in the city council and was criticized by the opposition, who called the procedure “strange” and “lacking transparency.”
Antón rose to the top of municipal government despite having been only 15th on the PSOE’s list in the 2023 elections. For his appointment to happen, not only did former mayor Carlos Martínez, who had led the city since 2007, have to resign, but nearly the entire Socialist caucus as well. Furthermore, Antón continues to serve as a senator, which the opposition claims will prevent him from giving enough attention to the city. Representatives of the Partido Popular said Soria now has a “quarter-time mayor.”
Criticism and accusations
Local political forces reacted particularly sharply to the situation. Soria ¡YA! president Juan Antonio Palomar accused the Socialists of “thrillerism” and stressed that the new mayor was not directly elected by local residents. According to him, the power transfer process was “undemocratic” and “closed off” to the public. Partido Popular also expressed dissatisfaction that, despite an absolute majority, PSOE had long failed to name Martínez’s successor and then orchestrated mass resignations to advance Antón.
Javier Antón himself stated at the swearing-in ceremony that combining the posts of mayor and senator would enable him to more effectively lobby for Soria’s interests at the national level. He promised a “new policy” focused on dialogue and citizen participation, and emphasized that the decision on his appointment was made within the party in accordance with the law and its statutes.
Reaction and consequences
Carlos Martínez, now the former mayor and current secretary of the PSOE in Castilla y León, supported his successor and called his speech “honest and responsible.” He urged the opposition to respect party procedures and pointed out that each political force has its own way of choosing leaders. At the same time, the Socialists recalled a similar case of dual positions with the mayor of Valladolid, Jesús Julio Carnero (PP), who also served as senator.
The city continues to debate the legitimacy and transparency of the power transition. The opposition demands greater openness and resident participation in such decisions. In turn, Antón insists on the importance of institutional continuity and promises to base his work on the principles of respect and cooperation with other factions.
Context and comparisons
The situation in Soria has become a notable example of how party mechanisms can influence municipal governance. The issue of combining positions and the transparency of procedures is being discussed not only in Soria but also in other regions of Spain. Against the backdrop of this conflict, there is a broader debate about the role of party structures in the formation of power. In a recent article, RUSSPAIN reported on how left-wing forces are seeking new forms of unity and responding to challenges from the far right — you can read more about this in the publication on the anniversary of Izquierda Unida and the call for consolidation.
