The formula of the two most durable mayors of Madrid, who have won 12 absolute majorities
Luis Partida and Carlos Rivera, Carlos Rivera and Luis Partida. What do these two gentlemen who wear navy blue jackets and shake hands in a friendly way have in common? Partida and Rivera hold the record for being the two longest-lasting mayors of the Community of Madrid.
After the appointment of May 28, both have won by an absolute majority a whopping 12 municipal elections, that is, all those that have been held since 1979, when the first local elections of democracy took place.
GRAN MADRID has brought them together to see how to survive being a councilor for 44 years without dying in the attempt. The appointment is in the Puerta del Sol, a neutral ground because everyone sweeps for home. Neither Carlos Rivera wanted to move to Villanueva de la Cañada nor Luis Partida wanted to move to Torremocha del Jarama.
Incredible as it may seem, their neighbors can't get enough of them and they have even managed to improve the results of the previous electoral date of 2019. Rivera, from Independientes for Torremocha, has gone from five to six councilors, while Partida, from the PP, has jumped from 13 to 16 councilors. There is nothing.
They know that the most important thing for a mayor is to be close, listen to the neighbors and get involved in their problems because people value more that their lamppost works than a big project for the municipality.
-There are people who vote for me, even if they do not agree with me. If the left did not vote for me, I would not get the results that I have- affirms Partida.
-In Torremocha, acronyms do not count. Traditional parties have insignificant results. The PP has obtained 24 votes and the PSOE, 13- comments Rivera.
-Only 24? It just can't be. I'm going to have to go to Torremocha in the next elections- Partida jokes.
Come, come if you dare! The youngest candidate of the PP in the Community was the one from Torremocha- the councilor of this town in the northern sierra responds with a smile.
“We're friends, but when it comes to voting, that doesn't count,” replied the mayor of Villanueva.
The relaxed chat takes place in La Mallorquina, Sol's emblematic pastry shop, which is packed with tourists at mid-morning.
The two mayors, in the Travesía del Arenal. . NAVARRETE
Partida -computer by profession- recounts that he started in politics with the UCD when some friends told him that he had to run for the elections, but he said no. After three weeks, they insisted on an already prepared candidacy and, then, he agreed to go to the elections, but on the condition that they let him draw up the list.
Rivera was a furniture dealer for Corte Inglés and was only 23 years old when he decided to jump into politics. He got tired of seeing how the families were leaving Torremocha.
-I presented myself and obtained an absolute majority. I have always had twice as many votes as the next party- presumes this councilor.
-Yeah, but you haven't had all the councilors from your same party, as happened to me in 1987. I also tell you that it is the worst thing that can happen to a mayor because the councilors end up believing that the whole mountain is oregano. I had to get angry and get serious with them- Partida counterattacks.
When this PP councilor arrived in 1979, Villanueva de la Cañada was a village in the northwest of the Community of just 1,106 inhabitants. Currently, it has 24,000 and has become one of the most attractive municipalities for young couples with children.
The success of Aquopolis
Partida lists his achievements throughout his eleven legislatures. One of the great impulses of the municipality was the construction in 1987 of the Aquópolis water park, which became one of the must-sees of the summer for Madrid children.
«Who has not been to Aquópolis? It is the largest water park in Europe and it put us on the map. We receive 300,000 visitors a year,” he says.
Its first mission was to build a school and, now, in the town there are 10 public, private or concerted educational centers. In Villanueva de la Cañada, the first golf course of democracy and the first private university in Spain were also built: Alfonso X el Sabio.
Rivera also takes pride in his successes, which not only have not prevented the town from depopulating, but the register has risen from 140 to 1,300 residents.
This mayor promoted the creation of an agricultural and an artisan polygon with 35 joinery, locksmith and ceramic workshops and shops selling local products such as vegetables, fruits and organic honey.
In Torremocha, the stone houses are surrounded by well-kept flower pots and graffiti with farm motifs decorate the walls.. It also has a residence for the elderly; another senior center, which operates as a cooperative and a cohousing, “but those do not vote for me,” Rivera notes.
Curiously, throughout these 44 years, Rivera has never received a salary from the Consistory, but lives from his position as town hall secretary. The mayor is also grateful to the government of Isabel Díaz Ayuso for supporting small towns with a large increase in resources from the Community.
They are both clear about one thing: “Elections are won in the street. Our office is in the street.”