From: www.costablanca-news.com/news/local.htm

Rafael Blasco moves to health council in regional cabinet reshuffle

By James Parkes
Rafael blasco, the man who has defied Brussels over the controversial lRAU and LUV laws, has swapped the territory and housing council for public health in a regional cabinet reshuffle announced by president Camps this week.

Regional president Francisco Camps, who at the weekend was confirmed as the PP candidate for reelection as regional president in next year’s local and regional elections by party leader Mariano Rajoy, announced the surprise reshuffle that affects the territory and housing, public health and government spokesman departments.

Rafael Blasco, who many land grab victims see as the main culprit for their situation, will leave his office to Esteban González Pons, until this week regional government spokesman.

Opposition groups and campaigners against the land laws hope Sr González Pons will be more open to their demands and accept, unlike his predecessor, that there are thousands of landowners affected by the controversial legislation and battling with Brussels will not solve the situation.

Sr Blasco, described by many as a political survivor, goes on to handle the health department after becoming one of the most unpopular members of the Cabinet. Despite the damage done to the image of the region, Sr Blasco has now been given control over the department with the largest budget of all.

Former health councillor Vicente Rambla now takes over as government spokesman.

While the PP party says the reshuffle is only aimed at improving the public image of the Cabinet in the run up to the regional elections, critics claim it is due to internal disputes within the ruling party.