Javier Esparza leaves the leadership of UPN after eight years marked by the loss of the regional Government in 2015, his first time as a candidate, and a journey in the desert whose end is not in sight at the moment. The still president of Unión del Pueblo Navarro announced this Friday that he will not continue leading the party after the congress to be held on April 28.
The decision was announced at the Political Council that the conservative party held this Friday and is already working on the deadlines for the next UPN Congress. “It is a thoughtful decision and one that we believe is the best. Life is cycles. Eight years is a good number for a position, projects can be carried out and contributions can be made,” he indicated.
In this way, Esparza bids farewell to eight years at the head of the presidency of the party, where he arrived after taking over from Yolanda Barcina, in which he has been a candidate to preside over Navarra on three occasions and in which, above all, he has had to work to rebuild UPN after it lost power in 2015.
The still leader of the regionalist formation already announced that he would not repeat as head of his party’s list in the 2027 provincial elections, but it remained up in the air whether he would choose to continue leading his party, something that he clarified this afternoon.
“I think about what is best for UPN. I said I would be there for eight years, it is not always easy to be consistent. This time I am going to be consistent. The best thing is to face a new time, UPN is the party with the most votes,” he said during a speech of less than a quarter of an hour.
“Some have told me that I have the responsibility of finding someone of consensus. I do not believe that, UPN belongs to no one. UPN belongs to the affiliates. No one can believe that it is irreplaceable. This party belongs to everyone. I will say what I think consensus and unity are good, as is loyalty and support for the next direction,” he added.
“I am going to continue helping what is my party. My knowledge will be at the service of UPN. The new leadership will have my respect, and Javier Esparza will be at its service,” he explained.
For the still president of UPN, the new management will face “a very complex and very beautiful moment at the same time.” “We have to learn to be patient, this socialism is not forever. We will fight it with all our might and nothing will make me happier than seeing UPN again at the head of the Government of Navarra.”
Javier Esparza finished his speech by thanking “all the people” who have accompanied him during this stage and, visibly moved, he received warm applause from the Political Council of his party.
