Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — Mayor Estefanía Mercado says there was “massive support” for a municipal name change during the first citizen consultation. More than 300 people showed up for the first of four public forums held Saturday.

Mercado launched the first of four citizen forums Saturday to publicize the constitutional reform project to change the name of the municipality of Solidaridad to Playa del Carmen.
More than 300 people gathered in Villas del Sol where Mercado, accompanied by Luis Herrera Quiam, the General Secretary of the City Council, along with members of her cabinet, who announced the reasons why the initiative to change the name of the municipality arose.
“Playa del Carmen has many factors. Not only is it wanting to erase the last residue of corruption from this country and reaffirm values and principles, but because Playa del Carmen is known worldwide, nationally.
“Also, it is to give back part of our history. The Virgin of Carmen represents our history, our identity, the essence that gave life to this fishing village,” she explained.
The Mayor says the name Solidaridad belongs to the old neoliberal regime of former President Carlos Salinas de Gortari and is the only reason why it was named Solidaridad. However, her government, for the first time she says, is consulting the people about what they want.
Mercado reiterated that it is the people who will decide what the name of the municipality will be by exercising citizen participation which will allow the population to express their opinion, suggestions and contributions to enrich the reform project.

“In addition, it is observed that national and international tourists identify the destination as Playa del Carmen and not as Solidaridad, therefore, the change of name will bring greater benefits to all sectors of the population,” said the Mayor.
With the approval of the people, the initiative to change the name of the municipality will be sent to the XVIII Legislature of the State Congress where it will be analyzed by deputies.