The mayor of Málaga, Paco de la Torre, asserts that his voice problem does not affect his decision to run again as a candidate in May 2027. The mayor credits his wife, Rosa Francia, for finally encouraging him to seek specialist help.
The mayor of Málaga, Paco de la Torre, wanted to put an end to the controversy that arose from statements made by his wife, Rosa Francia, in which she claimed that her husband is suffering from a voice illness and that under those conditions he could not run for the municipal elections in May 2027. When directly asked if his hoarseness affects his candidacy, the mayor was emphatic: "It does not affect." He added that his intention remains to reaffirm his position as mayor.
The information, reported by Diario Sur, indicates that the mayor has acknowledged he has been experiencing voice problems for some time, although he has downplayed them. "I acknowledge that my voice is not perfect, that it is not what it was years ago; I talk too much," he stated. De la Torre explained that, following his wife's advice, he has started visiting the doctor to take care of himself and has even modified his work routines: on weekends he communicates with the councillors via WhatsApp instead of by phone to strain his vocal cords less.
"I used to communicate with the councillors by phone on weekends, and now I do it via WhatsApp; this way I save my voice. One must rest the voice, and there are specialists in this area who can help"
The mayor explained that it has taken him "months, perhaps years" to heed his wife's advice and linked this delay to the statements she made public last week. "She is right that I need to take care of my voice, and I will do so," he affirmed. At this point, he mentioned the existence of speech therapists and ENT specialists who treat such ailments. In fact, he confirmed that he has already visited an ENT specialist and that the tests did not reveal anything concerning. "I have never been (to a speech therapist), but my wife is right that my voice is not the same as before," he added.
During his appearance, De la Torre used humour to downplay the matter. He asked the journalists present if they understood him when he spoke and defended that his voice, although different, allows him to communicate clearly. "You all understand me perfectly," he said, before emphasising that he speaks "clearly enough to express what I feel, that I love Málaga, the projects we have." In any case, he admitted that he must make "more rational use of his voice."
Rosa Francia's statements surprised both the City Hall and the municipal corporation. The opposition, as this newspaper has learned, jokingly commented that they were going to recruit Francia for being "his best asset." The mayor, for his part, insisted that his health condition does not alter his electoral plans. The election date will be in May 2027.
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