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The spokesperson of Compromís, Rafa Mas, during a council meeting. Shootori
Rafa Mas, the Thrice-Rebuked

Rafa Mas, the Thrice-Rebuked

The Compromís spokesperson becomes the most 'reprimanded' in the Alicante City Council

Tere Compañy Martínez

Alicante

Domingo, 12 de enero 2025, 07:35

Rafa Mas, the spokesperson for Compromís, has become one of the most rebuked members of the Alicante City Council. Three reprimands from his fellow council members: the first for jokes about virgins on his X account, which he later removed, and the last two for sexist attitudes - both within a month. This is particularly painful for a party like Compromís, which champions feminism.

While the figure of reprimand should be considered in its proper context - it is merely a slap on the wrist and represents the imposition of a majority over a minority - it is certainly unpleasant to endure 20 minutes of scolding from fellow council members, akin to a schoolchild being reprimanded. However, it is also challenging for the nationalist coalition, where many voices are critical of Mas's conduct, which ultimately underlies the reprimands.

The aggressive and assertive attitude of the spokesperson has led to numerous conflicts during his six years as a councillor, both with other parties and within his own. Notably, the PSOE voted in favour of the second reprimand initiated by Vox spokesperson Carmen Robledillo. "Welcome to feminism," remarked councillor Trini Amorós at the time.

Compromís, the most reprimanded party in Alicante

With Mas's third reprimand, he has become the most reprimanded councillor in the history of the Alicante council - the former socialist mayor Gabriel Echávarri had two. But Compromís has also become the most reprimanded party in the Alicante City Council. In addition to Mas's reprimands, there are two against former councillors Natxo Bellido and María José Espuch, and several against Generalitat officials, such as former vice president Mónica Oltra and former councillor Vicent Marzà. In total, seven reprimands for a party that first gained representation in the Alicante council in 2015.

Within Compromís, Mas's aggressive behaviour is also frowned upon. "It's his way of understanding politics; he has to be against everything to constantly make headlines," says a close source. "Speaking disparagingly, depersonalising, not being able to discuss gardening politics without demanding the resignation of the tree councillor is a weakness that makes Compromís invisible this legislature."

In his own party - Iniciativa - his manners are also disliked, with some voices considering that this strategy of viewing the world in terms of good and bad "only benefits the far right." They also believe that the combative attitude of the Compromís spokesperson in all matters causes him to lose credibility; when speaking in the same tone about a pavement pothole as about the installation of the port's macro-deposits, nothing seems important or urgent.

Some voices within the coalition also express frustration with Mas's conduct, especially because they perceive a lack of self-criticism, which could eventually affect the coalition. "For Rafa, everything is the end of the world," notes a source from the party. They believe these reprimands, without delving into the substance of the matter, provide fuel for the PP, allowing them to overshadow issues like the management of the storm by Mazón and shift the discourse to talk about Rafa Mas's sexism.

The request from the head of the Urban Planning legal service for a retraction of the councillor's statements in the council meeting, which the councillor had to retract, only adds fuel to an already heated fire. "This cannot continue; he feels that no matter what he says, there are never consequences, and now there are," comments another person.

After the November and December council meetings, Christmas has provided a respite for the councillor, and tensions have eased within the coalition. However, the PP has found a vein in reprimanding the councillor, with two reprimands in two meetings. Mas joked at Christmas events, "What more can they do to me?" We will have to wait, but there are still about 25 regular sessions left until the current term ends in May 2027.

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