The first mayor of Valencia with democracy, Fernando Martínez Castellano, died this Monday, as confirmed by the City Council, which has decreed three days of official mourning.
Martínez Castellano (València, 1942) was the head of the PSPV-PSOE list for Valencia in the municipal elections of April 3, 1979, the first held after Franco’s death, and became the first mayor of the city of the democracy.
He took office on April 21, although he was in office for a short time since in September 1979 he was expelled from the party, and Ricard Pérez Casado succeeded him as mayor.
After his period as mayor he abandoned active politics and was not on any other electoral list after those elections of April 3, 1979. During his life he was also a columnist for the newspaper Las Provincias.
The mayor of València, María José Catalá, has expressed her condolences to family and friends of this Valencian “who has dedicated his life to public service and has been a historical and political reference for the city.”
On behalf of the entire corporation and citizens in general, he expressed “regret for the loss of this key figure in the democratic transition.”
The City Council has decreed three days of official mourning, from this Monday to Wednesday, in which the flags of the municipal building will remain at half-mast, as a sign of respect and remembrance to those who “form an indisputable part of the history of the city.” .
This will be stated in the minutes of the extraordinary plenary session that will be held this Tuesday, at 10:30 a.m., in the Crystal Room, after a meeting of the Board of Spokespersons, in which a joint motion of condolences and recognition will be promoted.
During the three days of official mourning, the City Council will suspend all events organized by the Consistory and will make a book of condolences available to citizens so that Valencians can share their words of honor and tribute to Martínez Castellano, as well as memories and words of condolences for his family.
This book will remain on display in the Crystal Room on Tuesday from 12 to 2 p.m. and from 5 to 8 p.m., and on Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 to 8 p.m.
