Alejandra Ferrer is the first woman to preside over the local administration of Formentera in its entire history, either as a council or, since 2007, as the Consell Insular (Island Council). She was elected president with the votes in favour of the six councillors of her party, Gent per Formentera (GxF) and the five of the PSOE. In keeping with the island government pact between the two parties, she will step down as president on Friday 15th October, after 28 months at the head of the Consell. She will be relieved of the presidency by Ana Juan, of the PSOE, until now vice-president. Ferrer becomes vice-president and maintains the area of Tourism.
How have you spent these two years at the head of the Consell?
They have been intense and extraordinary, as no one expected this pandemic. Within this difficulty, which has affected us all, I am left with a positive feeling of the support of the people and how Formentera has been able to unite in a complicated and difficult to understand situation to move forward.
When you made the pact with the PSOE there were tensions, how long did it take you to overcome them?
The election result for us was hard and unexpected, I think it was also hard for the socialist party, we lost support and they gained it. In the first months everyone had to find their place in the government team, in which we came from an absolute majority and the PSOE from being in the opposition. For a while we behaved as if we had an absolute majority and they behaved as if they were in opposition. After a few months each one found their place and I think we have worked very well together, we have made a team and I am sure that after this change it will remain the same.
” I am angry because we have presented two anchoring projects to the Govern for the whole coastline and there they are”
What is the economic situation of the Consell in now?
We have focused above all on alleviating the consequences of the pandemic. Thus, we approved a whole series of modifications, with the management of the remaining economic resources that the institution had. This, and I would like to stress this, is thanks to previous good management which has allowed us to obtain aid for citizens and companies, something which was not strictly within our competence. I am also referring to the aid for housing and the tax rebates on all the services offered by the Consell. Now we are with the European Funds, which is a good opportunity to give a boost to certain issues such as the future composting plant, the construction of the waste plant and the installation of solar panels on houses.
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