HE Greuges Ombudsman Valencia’s new municipal government has issued a harsh resolution calling on its team to change regulations that reduce the number of information commissions and the number of participants in each. The decision signed upon the complaint of the Socialist Party, Angel Moon “If the number of commissions is reduced, and also the number of members who cannot ask unlimited questions but have to comply with a certain question limit, the result is obvious: it becomes more difficult to participate, monitor and supervise the affairs of the Municipality”.
socialist grievance
The Socialist Group’s complaint emerged last summer, as soon as the new regulation on commissions was approved by the general assembly. In particular, the new Government team reduced the number of information commissions from six to four and the number of council members participating in them from 9 to 7. It just means 28 of the 33 council members that make up the company can participate in some commissions.. 12 out of 13 PPs agree; From 8/9 of Compromís; 4 out of 7 are from the Socialist Party and 4 out of 4 are from Vox. So, of the councilors affected, four are from the opposition and three are from PSPV, so a complaint is being made to the Ombudsman. They understand that this reduction “attacks the right to participate in municipal affairs on equal terms” and is particularly serious because “four of the councilors who do not have access to these commissions belong to opposition groups.”
This complaint already has an answer and it is very strong. “If representatives elected by universal suffrage encounter obstacles to the ordinary development of their functions, not only are their fundamental rights to the exercise of public functions directly violated, but also, even indirectly, undue obstacles are placed in the way of the full effectiveness of the right of citizens to public office, which is the cornerstone of our democratic system.” to ensure participation in public affairs,” he says.
The authority of the general assembly can only be exercised without violating the Constitution.
The Ombudsman recognizes the right of the plenary meeting to organize the commissions, but at the same time reminds that this organization is also necessary. “cannot be arbitrary“, Because it is prohibited by Article 9.3 of the Constitution. “If the number of commissions is reduced, and also the number of members who cannot ask unlimited questions, but have to comply with a certain question limit, the result is clear: it becomes more difficult to participate, control and supervise the affairs of the Municipality,” he says.
As a result, the Ombudsman recommends that “the agreement establishing the ordinary standing commissions be amended and all necessary measures be adopted, with the agreement of all municipal groups, to modify the current regulation of the Organic Regulations of the General Assembly in the most appropriate way”. Recognizing the fundamental right to participate in public affairs in order to increase oversight, transparency and accountability.
Valencia City Council, which claims that this system is also used in many municipal institutions, is obliged to respond within a month by clearly stating its stance on this decision.