• Energy A mayor of Madrid declares himself in absentia and announces that he will stop paying for electricity "due to the abuse of electricity" and the inaction of the Government

The Batres City Council (1,700 residents and 35 kilometers from Madrid) has declared war on the electricity companies. Its mayor, the independent Víctor Manuel López, a 48-year-old firefighter, was the first councilor in Spain to refuse to pay the municipal utility bills for the increase in the price of electricity. His daring decision unleashed an earthquake of reactions on Wednesday, the majority in his favor. "I am a firefighter. I do not charge anything for being a councilor. I only receive an amount for attending the plenary sessions. But I think it

is time to take a first step from the institutions

to defend the interest of citizens and for the moment I have the support of several municipalities, "adds this mayor who yesterday kept the door of his office open to the neighbors throughout the morning.

Last Monday, the first mayor sent an email to Iberdrola explaining that from September 1 he will not pay the receipt.

“It is a personal decision, which I have made spontaneously after consulting with the legal services and

knowing the consequences.

It is something that I had to do because of the situation of the electricity bill that outrages so many families, "the councilor explained yesterday as he received applause from his neighbors from the street.

"I think it's good that he doesn't pay," said Ramón, a retired man who has lived in Batres for 40 years.

"He is a brave guy, we are with him

and of course if he achieves something it will be for the benefit of all," said Alberto, another of the neighbors who is proud of having a daring mayor.

In Batres there is a bar, a grocery store, a pharmacy and a hairdresser. Only the owner of the hotel establishment questioned the mayor's measure. It doesn't seem very good to me.

It is a decision that should have been consulted with the neighbors, "

said the businessman. "I also think that a neighbor has gotten involved and thinks he does not have to pay for electricity," added another resident. «Of course I have not told the neighbors not to pay for the electricity. I do not recommend any individual to do so. What I am doing is putting pressure on the electricity companies, since there is no firm action on the part of the Government of Spain and on the part of the opposition to end this outrageous situation.

For Batres's weak economy,

electricity bills are throwing their bills out of balance.

"We pay Iberdrola 20% of the municipal budget," the councilor lists. "Last year the expense was 100,000 euros to pay for public lighting, the light of the Town Hall and the public school," he details. "We are not insubordinate about anything and we are not haranguing the masses so that they do not pay," he clarifies while in his office he reviews the effects of the forest fire that recently ravaged his municipality and is interested in the work that the workers after the storm fell in the village.

"The daily work is incessant here, but I think it is time for public officials to step forward and defend the municipal coffers," he reiterates.

"It is a pressure position that I hope to maintain at least until December," he comments without hesitation.

“We are an essential administration and they cannot cut off our power.

I do not understand how these companies earn so much money paying only 6% tax while they cut off the electricity to needy families, "he criticized.

Víctor is aware that Iberdrola will file a lawsuit for non-payment.

“The electricity companies must think that the municipalities defend the general interests and that we cannot sit idly by.

The electricity can be cut off for a private individual, but with a City Council it is more complicated ”.

He adds that in Batres they have made a great effort in solar panels, LED lights and energy investment to save on electricity bills: «and now after that effort, they are going to raise our electricity bill by 30%.

There are many hidden interests here and

I think it is time to stand up », he

insists.

The only negative surprise this Wednesday morning was

the visit of some Civil Guard agents related to their decision.

The mayor doesn't want to talk about what the agents told him.

Some believe they warned him of the negative consequences of his rebellion.

For their part, sources from the electricity sector clarified that Batres has a

discount on the price of electricity

and that it has the energy price 2/3 times lower than the price at which the electricity market is quoted today.

Its price, in addition, is not subject to the volatility of the wholesale market, added the same sources.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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