Change in Pinoso's Mayoralty: Socialist Lázaro Azorín to Resign in August, Succeeded by Councillor Silvia Verdú

Socialist Lázaro Azorín has announced that on 8th August, he will resign as mayor of Pinoso, a position he has held for 14 years, to "focus" his "efforts" and "responsibility" as a PSOE deputy in Congress and "advance important projects and new challenges." He also wants to "have time" to dedicate to his family.

He announced the decision visibly moved this Friday past 11:00 am during a press conference at the Casa de Don Pedro in the town, where he was supported by the councillors who form the government team. Additionally, he revealed that Silvia Verdú will be the town's first female mayor, whom he described as a "brave, honest, and prepared woman."

Azorín indicated that in the coming days, he will call a plenary session to "account for" the management carried out during all this time. "I don't want to be remembered as the best mayor, but as a good mayor. I hope I have lived up to the circumstances and what Pinoso and its people deserve," he emphasized.

During his address, the still mayor stated that he entered politics with the intention of "transforming" the town and "improving" its environment, services, infrastructure, and the daily lives of the people, "working for everyone, with absolute transparency and honesty."

He also defended that he has dedicated himself to the position with "commitment, dedication, effort, and above all, energy and enthusiasm." "I have always understood that governing is serving," he added, then noted that "dialogue, although sometimes difficult, has been the bridge" that "has allowed progress."

He also valued the "joint work" of this stage and highlighted the support of "many people" to "achieve countless goals," while thanking the support of his family, the socialist government team, and those "from other parties who have played their role" of opposition "with respect and dignity." Additionally, he stated that "it has been a pleasure" to work "side by side" with the municipal staff.

"I speak to you with a choked voice and an open heart. It's not easy to put into words what I feel at this moment," Azorín stated during his address, where he considered that "the time has come to close a chapter," which he described as "long, intense, beautiful, full of life, challenges, and learning."

And he continued: "After 14 years as mayor, I have decided to step aside and leave the mayoralty of our beloved town, Pinoso. Only those who have lived the absolute dedication of this responsibility understand the weight of each step, signature, and sleepless night thinking about how to improve the lives of our people."

"Perhaps at times I haven't reached everything. I ask from the bottom of my heart for forgiveness. I always tried to do my best. Being a mayor is a full-time dedication, living with the phone in hand and the mind thinking about what remains to be done and in constant alert to adverse circumstances," he added.

During his address, Azorín thanked the PSOE for "trusting" him again in the last general elections by placing him as number three on the list to Congress for Alicante. "This substantially increased my responsibilities in this chamber," he added, while detailing that these are "tasks that require great dedication" and "take time" away from being at the forefront of Pinoso's Town Hall.

The still mayor asserted that he has "always" dedicated "one hundred percent" to the town. "That's why I now make this difficult, sad, and hard decision. Out of responsibility, love, and loyalty to my town. After 14 years, I am once again sincere and honest. Pinoso deserves more than I can offer at this time. After deep reflection, I decide to focus my efforts and responsibility as a deputy in the Lower House and push forward important projects and new challenges."

"This choice also involves something as beautiful as having time for my family and friends, to enjoy my daughter. I am aware that there are moments that will not return, which is why I have also decided and chosen to take care of my own, as I have tried to take care of you all for so many years," he stated.

Azorín acknowledged that he needs this "break" and that he will continue working "side by side" for everything Pinoso requires. "I leave with gratitude, pride, tranquility, and love," he emphasized during his address.

After announcing that on 8th August he will submit his resignation as mayor, he revealed that fellow socialist councillor Silvia Verdú will be Pinoso's first female mayor and will therefore succeed him in the position.

Verdú first entered the council in 2011, the year Azorín began wielding the baton of command. The mayor referred to his colleague as a "brave, honest, and prepared woman, who will be the best mayor the town can have": "Support her as you supported me. Walk with her as you did with me, because she also believes in you and dreams of a better Pinoso every day."

Azorín specified that he will leave the mayoralty on 8th August, at the end of Pinoso's fair and festivities, to "accompany" the citizens "as always" on the town's "big day." "This is not a definitive farewell. I will continue to be just another neighbour," he added.

Likewise, he valued his work at the head of the local government since 2011, 14 years in which, according to him, Pinoso has achieved "significant advances in various areas." Thus, he referred to "historical demands" such as the reduction of the debt "of more than 13 million euros" inherited from previous administrations, "despite the decline in patrimonial income," from the quarry royalties, which have been decreasing in recent years.

Azorín defended that the financial situation of the council is "solid and stable," with "zero loans and surplus since 2013," and referred to other actions such as the southwest ring road, the opening of the geriatric residence, efforts for Pinoso to have the Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance and be covered by a medical helicopter.

He also mentioned the launch of a new cultural centre, inaugurated in 2015, and the interpretation centre in the Casa del Mármol y del Vino. Also, the modification of the General Urban Development Plan (PGOU) for "the change of use and expansion of land for industry, which has taken more than ten years of processing."

And he mentioned "improvements in infrastructure and services of all educational centres" and sports facilities: "Projects that have been conceived and executed with the sole purpose of making our town greater. Objective achieved, in part, thanks to all the people who live in it. This is how I conceive politics: setting goals, planning projects, and achieving them for the good of the citizens."

"What I have enjoyed the most is that each of these achievements has been shared with my neighbours, seeing your faces of happiness. That has been my greatest satisfaction these years," Azorín concluded, who announced that he will attend the bicentennial commemorations of Pinoso in 2026 as a national deputy for this "historic event."