From Tragedy To Unity: Alhaurin Mayor On Why He Won’t Allow Politics To Divide His Town

Anthony Bermúdez Beltrón, nan politician of Alhaurin el Grande, is simply a operation of world roots, a lifelong dedication to education, and a committedness to grassroots section politics. As leader of nan independent statement 100% Alhaurín, he has steered nan mini municipality done challenging times while putting applicable improvements first for its residents. The politician sat pinch Euro Weekly News to talk astir nan reliable times and nan good.

Month of profound calamity for Alhaurin

The extremity of 2025 and commencement of 2026 brought profound calamity to nan mini town. A house fire connected Christmas greeting claimed nan lives of 2 teenagers (15 and 16 years old). Days later, a flash flood killed 2 well-known and loved section men. Then, little than a period afterward, connected January 24, British mother-of-three Victoria Hart, 33, was allegedly murdered by her ex-partner successful her home, successful beforehand of her children – an enactment of gender-based unit that shocked nan organization and drew world attention.

“For a spot arsenic mini arsenic Alhaurin el Grande, it was afloat of a batch of symptom and sadness,” Bermúdez Beltrón reflects. “What was peculiarly shocking astir nan decease of Victoria, isolated from nan sadness of nan different 2 tragedies, was that it was truthful incomprehensible. The others were unspeakable accidents, but Victoria’s decease was murder. And successful a colony for illustration this, location is nary measurement to understand it. It was highly difficult to woody with.” He highlights 1 metallic lining: “It’s difficult to return distant thing affirmative from immoderate of this, but nan unity nan people of Alhaurin el Grande showed – that was good.”

Hundreds march successful Alhaurin el Grande to retrieve Victoria Hart and request an extremity to unit against women

Who is Anthony Bermúdez Beltrón?

Born successful France to a begetter from Alhaurin el Grande and a mother from Madrid, Bermúdez Beltrón spent his early years successful a multicultural situation which would guidelines him successful bully stead. His parents had emigrated there, and he and his siblings were calved there, giving him an early vulnerability to different cultures that shaped his sensitivity to diversity, a cardinal constituent for a municipality for illustration Alhaurin pinch truthful galore expats.

He returned to Spain arsenic an Erasmus student, studying betwixt Université Lyon and nan University of Seville. In 1997/1998, he decided to stay, pursuing a doctorate successful history while opening his school career.

When asked if he feels much French aliases Spanish, Bermúdez Beltrón is unequivocal: “There’s nary statement successful my family. We person ever felt very Spanish but are very still thankful to France and nan acquisition I received there.”

A historiographer (graduated from Université Lyon II successful 1998), he worked successful secondary acquisition from 2004 to 2023 arsenic a teacher, vice-director, caput of studies, and yet head (headmaster) of IES Valle del Sol successful adjacent Álora. Today, he remains a history coach successful Alhaurin el Grande. “I’m a coach by profession, and I’ll dice arsenic a teacher,” he says pinch a wry smile.

Distanced from authorities of Madrid

His introduction into authorities began successful 2005. Elected arsenic a councillor successful 2007, he later became nan section leader of his group but grew disappointment pinch nationalist statement influences. “I didn’t want to beryllium a puppet of nan nationalist party,” he explains. Sceptics doubted he could shape an independent party, but he succeeded pinch 100% Alhaurin. From nan outset, a halfway rule was clear: “No 1 would unrecorded disconnected authorities and nary 1 would unrecorded for politics.”

He became politician connected June 17, 2023, bringing together a conjugation government. In forming this confederation pinch different parties aft nan elections, he insisted everyone work together that it would beryllium section priorities complete nationalist divisions. “In caller years, location has been immoderate deterioration and tear connected nan nationalist parties. And galore independent, section parties person emerged. National authorities tin ne'er power section authorities here. The group are tired of governmental conflicts.”

Bermúdez Beltrón observes a broader inclination of declining elector engagement. Referencing debased turnout successful caller elections, including astir 60 per cent successful Castilla y León’s location ballot and moreover little successful France’s section ones. He says: “In Alhaurin el Grande, nan turnout is still rather high. But successful caller years, it is clear that nan voting numbers are going down everywhere. It seems less group judge successful authorities these days.”

Moving forward

Looking ahead, nan politician acknowledges nan constraints of a four-year term. “A four-year instruction is very short, because to do large things, they return clip to get done, truthful you consciousness you are successful a imperishable electoral campaign, and that’s not bully for anyone.” Progress requires funding, sometimes needing reliable choices. Positively, nan town’s finances person precocious turned from reddish to black. “Now we’re successful nan position that things are going well. In 2026 and 2027 we are going to statesman to spot immoderate bully things happen,” he says, pinch residents group to ballot again successful May 2027.

Bermúdez Beltrón continues serving arsenic a nationalist pedagogue and dedicated section leader and is enjoying a fame among nan group uncommon successful today’s polarised governmental forum.