La Muela has become a prime example of a European municipality's economic success. Thanks to the installation of a wind farm and its new industrial park, it has experienced a 70% population increase in the last two years. Recently, its mayor signed a foreign trade agreement with several business owners in Santo Domingo. And she assures us that this is just the beginning…
– What is your opinion on the entry of the candidate countries into the European Union? Is La Muela twinned with any European municipality?
At the moment, we are not twinned with any European nation. We are in the process of establishing a sister city relationship with Santo Domingo, though we don't yet know if it will come to fruition. They are very keen for it to happen. However, what we did accomplish on my most recent trip to that country was the signing of an important agreement so that businesses in the La Muela industrial park can export everything the Dominican Republic needs. For example, we are going to try to place a multi-billion dollar order with Arpa, a company located in La Muela that manufactures military equipment. This order would be of interest to the Ministry of Defense and the Red Cross. We are also exploring the interest of another company that will supply materials for the construction of an iron bridge. And I hope more projects will emerge.
– How can a town council of a small municipality successfully perform these functions outside of the bodies that promote foreign trade?
Perhaps it's because we're not involved in these associations, and I'm doing this on my own, supported by our business owners in the industrial park. We don't need to go through intermediaries, as that only delays things. It's easier to just hop on a plane and negotiate directly with the business owners there.
– Why is La Muela a municipality with so much infrastructure and services despite having the same number of inhabitants and similar characteristics as others?
Putting modesty aside, it all depends on people's work ethic. It's all about wanting something, setting a goal. And if it's a short-term goal and you achieve it, even better. The success of any entrepreneur lies in that: in having a dream, a project, and from there, going for it.
– In Aragon, the phenomenon of rural depopulation is occurring. Doesn't the fact that it's close to Zaragoza pose a problem for La Muela?
As for growth, it's not a problem, it's a benefit. People can live in La Muela and commute to work in Zaragoza. But it is a hurdle in terms of bureaucratic procedures. In other words, if the city council of a large city submits a project, it doesn't face nearly as many obstacles to its approval as a small municipality does.
– But are these obstacles mutual, like the possible halt to the construction of the N-II highway?
Absolutely not. We never said the works should be halted. We simply stated that the road runs alongside the archaeological site, which is also part of the heritage of the Government of Aragon. But I'll go even further: if there were no other option and a decision had to be made, logically we would have to keep the highway.
– What unfinished projects will be undertaken in this legislature?
We have just started the works on the fourth phase of the industrial park, which is one and a half million square meters, although I would also like the works of the fifth phase to be carried out, which would be another one and a half million square meters.
Work is also underway on the town's wastewater collector, and we're going to pave a road using municipal funds. We've obtained the necessary permits from the Ministry of Public Works, which is no small feat, and a grant of 200 million pesetas for other pending projects.
– La Muela is known for its social services, such as the trips paid for by the town hall for residents. How are these subsidized?
It's very simple. Last year, 264 of us went to Santo Domingo, and this year we're going to Mexico on a 410-seat plane. Half the cost is paid by the residents, and the other half by the town hall. How? In a town hall, just like in a company, there's extra money that can be distributed in many ways, and we use it to support people with chronic illnesses or for these kinds of initiatives. What we don't think is right is allocating 100 million pesetas for the town's festivities. The money can be distributed more effectively.
– It all boils down to good management…
It takes good management and, perhaps, a little selfishness on the part of politicians, who usually want to hoard everything for themselves.
– Where do your political aspirations begin and end?
Well, it all started by chance with a group of friends, without us ever thinking we'd win. Back then, I was as "apolitical" as you can imagine, and I still am; municipal management is another matter entirely. After winning, I got down to business and invested heavily in this town. I think I'll finish soon, back home and with my family businesses. The truth is, in sixteen years, I've only been to the Aragonese Party twice.
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