For 28 years, the Independent Pro Municipality Torre del Mar Group (GIPMTM), whose main aim is to seek separate municipality status for Torre del Mar, has formed part of the Vélez-Málaga Council, but they could now face competition at the upcoming municipal elections in May 2011.
Three new parties have arisen in Vélez-Málaga in recent months, all currently intending to contest the May elections.
The Grupo Torreño (GT) seeks to protect the interests of Torre del Mar and ensure the fair distribution of taxes between the various population centres, particularly in relation to Torre del Mar.
The Alternativa por la Entidades Locales Autónomas (AELA) has the aim of defending the identity of the peoples that make up municipality of Vélez-Málaga with the conversion of Torre del Mar, Almayate Benajarafe, Chilches, Triana and Caleta de Vélez, Mezquitilla and Lagos into autonomous municipal entities.
The Grupo Gestión Axarquía (GGA), which describes itself as apolitical, wants the Council to be run along business lines and based on business criteria.
The leader of the GIPMTM, Manuel Rincón, has invited the leaders of the new parties for talks in order to see if there are possibilities of incorporation within the GIPMTM.
If all the parties do decide to stand at the next elections, there will be nine parties to choose from: GIPMTM, GT, AELA, GGA, PSOE, PP, IU, PA and UPD.