Álex Valdivia (Palma, 1966) is the surprise Ciudadanos candidate for Mallorca council after Osvaldo Cifre’s scare just a month before the election. He studied economics and tourism at the UIB, a master’s degree in European affairs from the Free University of Brussels, and another in politics from the UOC. He has lived in the United States, Czech Republic, Tanzania, Greece, Belgium and Germany and speaks six languages. So far he has been a grassroots militant who has not held office. These elections mark his entry into the front lines of politics.
How do you measure up to the polls that kicked you out of the insular institution?
I do this with optimism. Data being what it is, we cannot deny it, but there is a game ahead. We’re going to fight for a place we believe in, we believe in votes and a productive campaign, and we don’t think about strategies. That’s what’s important.
What is left of the Ciudadanos after these four years?
– There are absences, especially Joan Mesqueda, who restored my enthusiasm for active politics, I cannot deny that. But innovation happens and we have learned from the mistakes of the past, which have happened. They can criticize us for messing up, but not for messing up. And this is what sets us apart from other parties who cannot say the same.
Is there space for citizens in the Consell de Mallorca?
Between 8 and 10 percent of the population of the Balearic Islands consider themselves progressive liberals. That’s why we have our place. There are three electoral options: one consisting of PSIB, Més and Unidas Podemos; PP and Vox’s second; and a more moderate center such as Ciudadanos that would try to liberalize politics, whether inside or outside the executive, eliminating the policy of tantrums. Quarrels and trenches. The important thing is not the chair, it is the measures that are taken.
What note would you give to this legislature with Catalina Cladera at the helm of Consul de Mallorca?
Governing is not easy. You can criticize with a simple protest, but that’s not my style. The government team had successes, errors and indecision. And maybe there would have been a lack of courage, and the CS could have contributed a bit more. Catalina Cladera doesn’t have the best government partners: populism and nationalism aren’t the best for Mallorca’s citizens.
How will C campaign for the island council?
—a positive campaign, launching proposals, running away from noise, easing criticism and trying to build bridges with voters and other citizens.
What is your top priority?
—to focus on the work of the council and on governance in general, prioritizing management and setting aside petty politics once and for all. Citizens are not concerned whether a measure is from the left or the right, only that it is effective and achieves its objectives.
Mobility has been one of the most recurring issues during the legislature which is now expiring. What are your suggestions for preventing this problem?
—we bet on a rapid electric transport bus that, with its own infrastructure, serves individual cities such as Helsinki, Göteborg or Barcelona, using a section such as the Camí de Son Fangos, which is now is being used. Thus we put aside the tram project which cost a lot and we can spend that money on better things. We also advocate for the implementation of the Austrian Vignette, a sticker that is placed on the car, and the collection of tolls for all vehicles that do not pay the circulation tax in our community.
Will they remove the 80km limit. H at the waist?
—we consider what needs to be done to adapt it to traffic density to be able to maintain a safety distance between vehicles
