The Lanzarote branch of the PSOE has accused Oswaldo Betancort of ensuring Ángel Vázquez’s continued role at the Cabildo despite his removal as head of the Centres for Art, Culture and Tourism (CACT). The socialist party argues that maintaining Vázquez in government with a salary indicates that the president prioritises protecting his coalition partner over demanding accountability.
PSOE spokesperson Ariagona González highlighted that Vázquez’s continuation in his role is linked to his position on the Government Council, which ultimately reflects on Betancort himself.
“Betancort cannot hide behind the Popular Party any longer. It is his responsibility to keep Ángel Vázquez on the Government Council and to ensure his continued role. As president, he should explain why someone who has left the Tourist Centres still enjoys his confidence and a public salary,” said González.
The PSOE also noted that the crisis erupted when it became known that Vázquez had signed off on his son’s permanent position at CACT. They argue that removing him from the public company while guaranteeing his continued paid position at the Cabildo undermines any calls for accountability.
“Oswaldo Betancort is buying Ángel Vázquez’s political silence with a position at the Cabildo. While he presents a dismissal to the public, he is assuring Vázquez that he will remain in government and continue to be paid. This reflects the limited demands for accountability he is willing to make,” González asserted.
González rejected Betancort’s efforts to close the case with Vázquez’s change in position, warning that keeping him on the Government Council places him at the heart of executive decisions.
“If what happened justified his departure from CACT, Betancort must explain why he considers it acceptable for Vázquez to remain part of his government. He cannot demand explanations while simultaneously guaranteeing the political and financial security of the person he is supposedly holding accountable,” she stated.
The PSOE deemed it particularly troubling that the Cabildo’s resources are being used to resolve a political crisis involving the Canary Coalition and the Popular Party. “Public resources should not be used to soften the fallout from a scandal or to ensure the stability of the coalition. The people of Lanzarote should not bear the cost of protecting Ángel Vázquez,” González added.
The PSOE of Lanzarote has called on Oswaldo Betancort to end Vázquez’s position, remove him from the Government Council, and clarify the decisions that allowed him to stay in the insular executive after his departure from the CACT.
