Sur in English

The PP mayor of Estepona, Jose María García Urbano has infuriated opposition PSOE councillors on the town council by signing a contract to the value of 48,279 euros without any public discussion or consultation with council members.
The contract is with the Ávila sculptor Santiago de Santiago and is for a piece of sculpture to be placed on the roundabout at the junction of Avenida Juan Carlos I and Calle Cristóbal Ruiz Mendez. The mayor signed the contract in his capacity as 'Mayor President', a position which enables him to dispose of sums of money without the need for consultation with the council members.
Councillor Benitez stated that PSOE was in no way opposed to augmenting the cultural patrimony of the town but added that spending money on culture as with anything else should be subject to public knowledge and democratic approval.
The mayor was elected to the Cortes in Madrid in December's elections and the opposition group has expressed doubts that he will be able to serve adequately in both positions.