The mayoress of Xàbia, Rosa Cardona, from the Popular Party (PP), has denied that there has been a government crisis following the controversial statements by the Vox councillor, Jose Marcos Pons, who attacked the Local Police and its chief superintendent, José Antonio MonfortIn a media appearance, Cardona confirmed that the Vox council member has already apologized internally to the governing team.
The conflict arose after Pons used a recent minor stabbing incident, in which the attackers were quickly arrested, to express the concern about a security problem in the municipality and questioned the work of the local police chief superintendent. These remarks generated strong discontent among the governing partners, especially in Ciudadanos por Jávea (Citizens for Jávea, CpJ), which demanded a public apology from Pons and proposed censuring the Vox councilor at the next municipal plenary session.
However, Cardona, who leads the coalition formed by CpJ and Vox, stated that "José Marcos Pons has explained his position and apologized. I don't think CpJ will follow through with the rebuke." The mayor also confirmed that Pons's statements were "unfortunate."
The mayor also defended the chief superintendent of the Local Police, José Antonio Monfort, who was the main target of Vox's criticism. "José Antonio is a person I admire and who is untouchable for me," Cardona stated, highlighting the police chief's professionalism.
Safety data in Xàbia
Regarding Vox's statements about insecurity, Cardona denied them and stated that crime data indicates a decrease in crime in the city. "Furthermore, they are now more effective; police forces have been reinforced in key areas, and the Civil Guard is now available."
Pons doesn't have to apologize "internally to the government team," but publicly—and his criticism was also important—to the local police chief.