The municipalities of Bormujos, in Seville, and Villacarrillo, Jaén, both governed by the PP, have decided suspend concerts that Jose Manuel Soto had scheduled their municipal festivities -on August 24 and September 9 respectively- as a result of some controversial statements.

The singer, on social networks, charged with insults against the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, and his voters. In a tweet, which has since been deleted, the singer-songwriter wrote: “I am going to take advantage of this moment of summer calm by the sea to make use of my freedom of expression and shit on Pedro Sánchez, in his fucking mother and in the millions of children of the great tip who agree that Spain is in the hands of its worst enemies, fuck you”.

The reactions have not been long in coming and this Sunday the mayoress of Bormujos, Lola Romero, announced her decision. Regarding Soto’s ugly words, the politician has said that “they do not represent the official position of this City Council nor do they reflect the opinions or ways of acting of the new Government of Bormujos.”

“The local government works for all citizens and there is no room for insults or disrespect” and has stated that the “promotion of coexistence, diversity and inclusion are fundamental axes of our government action”, has highlighted.

And because, he says, his mission is to “solve problems and not create them”, he made the decision to cancel José Manuel Soto’s performance and start working on other options to replace him.

In the Villacarrillo Town Hall they followed the same steps. Regarding the singer’s statements, he says, they are part of his “personal responsibility and do not represent the official position of the City Council or reflect the opinions of the local government.”

“As an institution, we strive to promote peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among all citizens, regardless of their political, religious or any other differences. We value diversity and inclusion as fundamental pillars of our community”, has defended the Jaén town hall, which has reiterated its commitment to “work for the benefit of all citizens, maintaining an environment of harmony and respect”.

After the cancellations, José Manuel Soto apologized. In the same social network in which he had poured insults against the PSOE, he has written: “The reason is lost when insulted, it will not happen again.” “The other night I made an inappropriate comment on Twitter referring disparagingly to Pedro Sánchez and the people who agree with the destruction of Spain,” he added.

Before, Soto had already published another message in which he apologized in this way: “Call son of a bitch someone is a very Spanish popular expression that is in Don Quixote and in all the classics, no need to be so offended. They call me a fascist, Nazi and worse things every day and I take it with sportsmanship. Having said this, I apologize to those offended,” he wrote.