At plenary meetings in Azofra, a municipality of fewer than 200 residents, recordings captured mayor Aurelio Cantera Montoya, of the Partido Popular, addressing Socialist councillor Carmen Cantera. The sessions took place in June and September 2026; Radio Rioja/Cadena SER broadcast the recordings on 5 November. Reports said the confrontation followed questions from Carmen Cantera about private construction works allegedly involving a member of the governing team. The recordings capture Cantera raising his voice and striking the table. He also tells her to speak clearly or remain silent, and makes remarks about her personal life. The PSOE described his conduct as intimidating and degrading and demanded his immediate resignation.
Speaking to journalists after a press conference shortly after 10.30 on 6 November, Gamarra said she had not heard the recordings. She said she knew the mayor had apologised for remarks that were not appropriate. The PP of La Rioja released its public statement at 11.03, after Gamarra’s comments.
In the statement, the PP said Aurelio Cantera had apologised for the way he addressed Carmen Cantera during the June and September plenary sessions, saying his forms of address “were not the most appropriate.” It acknowledged both episodes but did not announce party disciplinary action or an internal investigation. The recordings include remarks in which the mayor tells the councillor to be careful and asks whether she understands him; another reported exchange included a threat to send her home crying “like a Macarena.” EFE reported that the dispute followed an exchange about personal matters.
The public apology had still not reached Carmen Cantera personally, according to the supplied account. The PSOE continued to call for the mayor’s resignation. A separate earlier Feijóo report covered his response to a question about a possible ministerial post.
