Paco Cuenca, who served as the mayor of Granada on two occasions, handed over his councilor's seat this Wednesday, June 10th, marking the end of a fifteen-year career in the Granadan municipal government. Born in Granada in 1969, Cuenca, a graduate in Physical Education, entered politics at a young age with the PSOE, eventually becoming the provincial delegate for Public Works for the Junta de Andalucía before focusing on municipal politics.
His career at the Granada City Council has spanned several terms and different phases. After running as a candidate in 2011 and 2015, he became mayor in 2016 following the resignation of José Torres Hurtado. He returned to govern after the 2021 elections through a motion of no confidence, and his last term was spent in opposition until the 2023 elections.
The socialist politician, who was listed as the second candidate for the PSOE in Granada for the regional elections on May 17th, expressed pride in the chapter he is closing and enthusiasm for his new responsibilities. "What I value most about these fifteen years has been always showing myself to be close to the citizens and providing Granada with a city project," he stated.
Cuenca highlighted the importance of the agreements reached during his terms, despite not having an absolute majority. He recalled the city council's economic situation upon his arrival, mentioning a debt of 300 million that, he claims, was halved, along with improvements in payment periods to suppliers. He also pointed to contributions to the arrival of the Metro and other achievements.
“"What I value most about these fifteen years has been always showing myself to be close to the citizens and providing Granada with a city project."
The socialist group in the Granada City Council bid farewell to Cuenca with pride, thanking him for his "absolute dedication" and highlighting the legacy he leaves in the city, based on the recovery of its international prestige, the pursuit of consensus, and the development of a city model with its own identity.
