The Comandos relocated to the El Altet district to explain to their neighbors the long-standing push to part from Elche and establish El Altet as an independent municipality. They argued that a small but stable presence could anchor their autonomy, noting that a population exceeding five thousand and a well-developed territorial base were essential requirements. In fact, El Altet registers more than six thousand residents, a figure presented as proof of a functional community ready for self-government.
Ángel Soler, leader of the Merchants’ Association and a vocal advocate for independence, presented a compelling document to the crowd. He recalled that as early as 1882, residents of El Altet had already voiced their desire to petition the Alicante Provincial Council for incorporation into the city of Alicante. Soler clarified the situation with a practical line: Elche and Alicante have historically stood side by side, sharing a mixed and complicated relationship, rather than a straightforward partnership. This historical memory underscores the argument that El Altet’s interests might be better served by a separate administrative framework rather than by continued alignment with Elche.
What emerged from the discussion was a broader recognition of how national programs addressing regional issues can illuminate the needs of local populations. The airport project serving Alicante-Elche, located within the municipality of Elche and adjacent to El Altet, has significantly influenced local tax dynamics and resource allocation. Critics and supporters alike used the airport’s presence to highlight perceived disadvantages faced by El Altet, arguing that taxation and public services in the district should reflect its specific circumstances rather than being pooled with Elche.
Concluding the program, Elche’s mayor, Carlos González, appeared in El Altet with a plan that many attendees described as meticulously prepared and typical of official reports. The plan reportedly showed that when legal authorities have weighed in and the courts have weighed the arguments, the possibility of discrimination could seem unlikely on paper. Yet the community remained determined to persevere. The people of El Altet argued that they pay taxes as if living in the urban core of Elche, yet they face gaps in public services. They pointed to the absence of a local health center and the need to travel twenty minutes to the Elche Hospital for care, underscoring the practical barriers a divided system imposes on everyday life. This ongoing tension highlighted a broader struggle over how regional governance should reflect the realities of diverse neighborhoods and districts, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. The discussion, though challenging, continued to fuel the debate about whether El Altet should remain part of Elche or chart its own municipal path. It’s a dialogue that combines historical context, fiscal considerations, and the daily experiences of residents who want a more responsive and locally focused government.