In the latest regular plenary session of the Diputación, a notable item in the control section concerns the mayor of La Nucía and his deputy, Bernabé Cano. For practical purposes, this arrangement implies a gross monthly remuneration of 4,400 euros. The politician from the Partido Popular had previously regained certain powers at the start of the Sports department within the provincial administration, after the Provincial Court opened a case against him following public reports that he would bypass health protocols to receive the Kovid vaccine. At the moment, he faces charges related to improper bribery and fraud, which adds a significant layer of legal scrutiny to his tenure.
Earlier, provincial president Carlos Mazón withdrew Cano from sports duties at the state institution in January of the previous year, responding to pressure from the government ally Ciudadanos. Mazón signed a decree restoring Cano to his previous powers, a move that were briefly assumed by Popular MP and Torrevieja mayor Eduardo Dolón after Cano stepped back. Consequently, Cano remains entitled to a salary linked to a special dedication of 4,400 euros per month, since this arrangement does not conflict with other roles.
As Mazón reduced the extent of his direct governance in the territory, the La Nucía elected official continued serving as a provincial deputy but without a formal dedication. Over the past year and a half, his earnings have consisted of compensation for plenary sessions and the two information commissions he has attended, namely the Culture and Infrastructure commissions, in addition to his responsibilities with the Tourist Board and the Marina Baja Water Consortium. This yields an approximate monthly total of 1,500 euros from those provincial duties. When combined with earnings from La Nucía City Council, the figure rises further, contributing to concerns about transparency given earlier questions about salary reporting to the Treasury.
During discussions about Cano’s special dedication, Toni Frances, the socialist spokesperson in the Provincial Assembly, described the situation as a quick decision made while a criminal case was still pending, noting that the Prosecutor’s Office had requested a review of the file. Frances added that beyond the legal questions, the arrangement did not align with the political example expected by the public and maintained that the broader governance narrative warranted careful consideration.