Manual Rincón, businessman and outspoken leader of the Pro Independence Group for Torre del Mar (GIPMTM) since 1985, has announced his resignation as a councillor and retirement from politics.
Rincón, aged 60 years, put an end to three decades of an almost uninterrupted political career, first with the PSA (Socialist Party of Andalucia) and since 1985 with the GIPMTM. He announced his decision at the regular Council meeting on Friday.
Manuel Rincón is a firm believer that independence for Torre del Mar would be beneficial to the local residents, a smaller municipality being a more manageable unit. However, his dream of independence has been thwarted at every turn by the judicial authorities.
Torre del Mar enjoyed a brief period as an independent municipality between 1842 and 1848, but financial difficulties led to its reunion with Vélez-Málaga.
Manuel Rincón will be replaced by Jesús Pérez Atencia, number three on the GPMTM list at the municipal elections in May 2011.