Call for Resignation of PP Councillor for Toasting in Front of Francoist Flag

The Rights and Guarantees Committee of the PP in Castilla-La Mancha has begun proceedings to open disciplinary action against one of its councillors in the San Clemente (Cuenca) Town Hall for appearing in a video toasting in a bar in front of the Francoist flag. In the video, the councillor, Justo Moncho, exclaims "Arriba España" after reciting, glass raised, the toast of Hernán de Acuña or the Tercios de Flandes.

"For Spain and whoever wants to defend it, may they die honourably; and whoever, traitorously, abandons it, may they have no one to forgive them, no shelter in holy ground, no cross on their remains, nor the hands of a good son to close their eyes," recites the councillor in this video that has gone viral on social media.

Justo Moncho, who is the councillor for Environment, Health, Consumer Affairs, and Festivities in this town of 6,800 inhabitants, assumed this position on April 14 following an internal crisis within the PP of San Clemente, where they govern with an absolute majority, which ended with the resignation of their mayor.

The published video, lasting one minute, predates his assumption of office and was recorded in a bar owned by his family. The councillor declined to comment on Tuesday, but from his party, the secretary general of the PP in Castilla-La Mancha, Carolina Agudo, announced the opening of disciplinary proceedings after requesting more information from the provincial leadership of the PP in Cuenca and stated that "from the PP we categorically reject any fanaticism and any apology from wherever it comes, and therefore, that has no place in our party."

From the PSOE of Castilla-La Mancha, its Organisation Secretary, Sergio Gutiérrez, demanded the expulsion of the councillor and that he surrender his council seat. "The PP statutes allow for his expulsion and demand for the act, and the president of this party in Castilla-La Mancha, Paco Núñez, should do so today without hesitation if he were coherent, democratic, and brave," stated Sergio Gutiérrez, who also recalled the case of Jaime Celada, a PP councillor in Cabanillas del Campo (Guadalajara), who was recorded two years ago singing the "Cara al sol" and who did not receive even a reprimand from the PP leadership. "We do not know if it is the lack of constitutional values, the extreme weakness of Paco Núñez in his organisation, or both, but his lack of exemplarity is concerning," added the socialist leader.