Torre del Mar hopes for independence move closer

The Junta de Andalucia regional government is currently working together with the Velez-Malaga Council in the finalisation of the project that will turn the Torre del Mar district into an Autonomous Local Entity (ELA).

One of the biggest obstacles encountered is the national regulation, which would prevent Torre del Mar from acquiring judicial autonomy. However, authorities have said that the recognition of the town for historical reasons would solve this issue.

“We have started working on the project and we are optimistic that Torre del Mar will be able to achieve the category of ELA,” Andalucian Regional Government Delegate in Malaga, Jose Luis Ruiz Espejo said to the Spanish daily, La Opinion de Malaga.

“Achieving the decentralisation from the local administration is what we have been fighting for,” said the head of the independent group of Torre del Mar, Jesus Atencia, who continued: “We are working together with the Junta de Andalucia Regional Government in this and we are happy with the new options that they have presented to us.”

They explained that the decentralisation would allow, amongst other things, the speeding up of the administrative procedures at Velez-Malaga Town Hall, which currently houses 80,000 people.