El Hierro's council fractures for the second time this term

The president of the Cabildo of El Hierro, Alpidio Armas (PSOE), announced on Wednesday the irrevocable dismissal of David Cabrera (Asamblea Herreña) from the post of first vice‑president. The removal, which took effect on Monday, will be replaced by the socialist councilor Ana González, who will assume the vice‑presidency.

Cabrera will remain a councilor responsible for Rural and Marine Environment, Infrastructure, Maintenance, Works and Roads, and Land Planning.

A second rupture in the same term

• This is the second time during the current mandate that President Armas has dismissed his coalition partner in the Cabildo.
• The first dismissal occurred on 1 February 2024, when Armas removed the leader of Asamblea Herreña for “loss of trust, breaches and disloyalties.”
• After a 36‑day suspension, Cabrera was reinstated on 7 March 2024 following an agreement that restored all his previous areas of management.

What triggered the latest dismissal?

The latest move follows the decision of Ana Cecilia González, councilor for Employment and Economic Development and a key representative of Asamblea Herreña, to withdraw from the governing coalition while retaining her councilor seat. She conditioned her vote on “specific supports” rather than full alignment with the government’s agenda.

President Armas expressed his disagreement, noting that despite several meetings, Asamblea Herreña has not clarified its stance on the matter.

“The PSOE was left not knowing whether it had seven or six councilors in the government group,” Armas said.

Political fallout and future scenarios

• With González’s departure, Asamblea Herreña loses its representation in the Cabildo’s Government Council.
• Armas indicated the need to re‑orient certain policies to ensure continuity for the remaining two years of the term.
• He does not rule out a minority PSOE government, which would rely on ad‑hoc support from other island groups.
• The future of the governing pact now depends on the decisions that Asamblea Herreña will take.

Armas also asserted that a motion of no confidence against his administration is unlikely, but warned:

“If there is a motion of no confidence, let it happen. I will not continue in this way; we must be serious in managing the public interest, and I will not allow these indefinites.”

La Frontera (El Hierro), 12 August (EFE).