PP awaits Pineda's recovery with patience

Francisco 'Paco' Pineda

JIMENA (TioJimeno) The Jimena branch of the Partido Popular (PP) waits patiently for the recovery of the man who headed its electoral list. Francisco Pineda had a stroke during the campaign for local elections on May 22. He has been in hospital ever since but is said to be recovering quickly and well; Family sources said he could well be leaving hospital in the next few weeks, to continue rehabilitation treatment at home in Jimena. The party is hoping he will be willing to take up his place as a Councillor as soon as, and if, he feels up to the task. He cannot become Mayor, as the period for that possibility ended 48 hours after the Council held its first investiture session early last June. "The only way his place could become vacant," according to Councillor Pedro Corbacho, "is that he resigns from it expressly, or he is declared incompetent, neither of which will happen." MORE NEWS AND HEADLINES ON CAMPOPULSE

Unusual post-electoral situation

JIMENA (EFE/Photo: TioJimeno)  Jimena de la Frontera is facing an unusual post-electoral situation. The Mayor-elect, Francisco Pineda, suffered a cerebral ictus during the campaign and has been in hospital since then, without any possibility of taking up his post. A retired Army man, this was the first time Pineda had ever stood for election, heading the PP list that won an unprecedented 7 seats on the Council, the same number as the PSOE who have been in power in the municipality since the advent of democracy in 1985. Pineda remains in his room at the Puerta del Mar Hospital in Cadiz, where his health is improving very slowly. He still needs assisted breathing and feeding but is conscious and responding to stimuli with smiles and facial expressions. His motor functions remain paralized, however. According to family sources, he was told that he had won the elections as soon as it was confirmed that he had regained consciousness - two tears rolled down his cheeks at the news. As to the political situation, there appears to be a grey area in the law.>