Luis Partida and Carlos Rivera, Carlos Rivera and Luis Partida. What do these two gentlemen who wear navy blue jackets and shake hands in a friendly way have in common? Partida and Rivera hold the record of being the two longest-lasting mayors in the Community of Madrid.

After the appointment of May 28, both have won by absolute majority a whopping 12 municipal elections, that is, all those that have been held since 1979, when the first local elections of democracy took place.

GRAN MADRID has brought them together to see how it survives being a councilor for 44 years without dying in the attempt. The appointment is in the Puerta del Sol, a neutral ground because everyone sweeps home. Neither Carlos Rivera wanted to move to Villanueva de la Cañada nor Luis Partida wanted to move to Torremocha del Jarama.

As incredible as it may seem, their neighbors do not get tired of them and have even managed to improve the results of the previous electoral appointment of 2019. Rivera, of Independientes por Torremocha, has gone from five to six councilors, while Partida, of the PP, has jumped from 13 to 16 councilors. There is nothing.

They know that the most important thing for a mayor is to be close, listen to the neighbors and get involved in their problems because people value more that their street lamp works before a big project for the municipality.

-There are people who vote for me, even if they don't agree with me. If the left did not vote for me, I would not get the results I have," says Partida.

-In Torremocha, acronyms do not count. The traditional parties have negligible results. The PP has obtained 24 votes and the PSOE, 13 - comments Rivera.

- Only 24? No way. I'm going to have to go to Torremocha in the next elections- jokes Partida.

-Come, come if you dare! The youngest candidate of the PP in the Community was that of Torremocha- responds smiling the councilor of this town in the Sierra Norte.

"We are friends, but, when it comes to the vote, that does not count," replies the mayor of Villanueva.

The relaxed talk takes place in La Mallorquina, the emblematic pastry shop of Sol, which at mid-morning is crowded with tourists.

The two mayors, in the Travesía del Arenal.A. NAVARRETE

Partida – a computer scientist by profession – relates that he began in politics with the UCD when some friends told him that he had to stand for election, but he said no. Three weeks later, they insisted on him with a ready-made candidacy and, then, he agreed to go to the elections but, on condition that they let him make the list.

Rivera was a furniture delivery man for Corte Inglés and was only 23 years old when he decided to jump into politics. He got tired of seeing families leave Torremocha.

I presented myself and got an absolute majority. I have always had twice as many votes as the next party," this alderman boasts.

-Yes, but you have not had all the councilors of your same party, as happened to me in 87. I also tell you that it is the worst thing that can happen to a mayor because the councilors end up believing that the whole mountain is oregano. I had to get angry and serious with them- Partida counterattacks.

When this PP councilor arrived in 1979, Villanueva de la Cañada was a village in the northwest of the Community of just 1,106 inhabitants. At present, it has 24,000 and has become one of the most attractive municipalities for young couples with children.

The success of Aquópolis

Partida lists his achievements throughout his eleven legislatures. One of the great impulses of the municipality was the construction in 1987 of the Aquópolis water park, which became one of the must-sees of the summer for Madrid children.

"Who hasn't been to Aquopolis? It is the largest water park in Europe and put us on the map. We receive 300,000 visitors a year," he says.

His first mission was to build a school and, now, in the town there are 10 public, private or concerted educational centers. In Villanueva de la Cañada, the first golf course of democracy and the first private university in Spain were also built: the Alfonso X el Sabio.

Rivera also takes heart from his successes, which not only have not prevented the town from depopulating but the register has risen from 140 to 1,300 residents.

This mayor promoted the creation of an agricultural and artisanal polygon with 35 workshops of cabinetmaking, locksmith and ceramics and shops of local products such as vegetables, fruits and organic honey.

In Torremocha, stone houses are surrounded by manicured flower pots and graffiti with motifs of tillage decorate the walls. It also has a nursing home; another center for the elderly, which works as a cooperative and a cohousing, "but those do not vote for me," Partida adds.

Curiously, throughout these 44 years, Rivera has never received a salary from the Consistory, but lives from his position as secretary of the city council. The mayor also thanks the Government of Isabel Díaz Ayuso for supporting small towns with a large increase in resources from the Community.

The two are clear about one thing: "Elections are won in the street. Our office is on the street."

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