CEV Alicante advised César Quintanilla for the vice presidency and contrasted approaches with Uepal
In the current landscape, Alicante’s business community, represented by the Alicante State Cooperation Uepal, keeps a vigilant pulse on regional investments and strategic projects. The Valencia Community Business Confederation, known as CEV, remains a key interlocutor in regional economic planning. The head of Uepal, Sellés, who recently faced removal from the vice presidency in Alicante, has returned to activity, pressing for investment claims tied to the Alicante-Elche airport and drawing attention to recent infrastructure initiatives seen as strategic in recent days. The discussion centers on connectivity projects such as the AVE high-speed rail corridor or the Mediterranean Corridor and the urgency of linking the Tram with Elche while outlining plans for the southern part of the province. Meanwhile, Uepal calls for a reallocation of General Government Budget resources for next year to bolster airport investments in the province, even as it notes diminished connections to its Alicante facilities. Valencia’s side continues to criticize a new interstate complaint process and the underlying governance concerns it has raised.
Sellés emphasized a critical point about funding distribution, stating that for every three euros spent on development at Valencia airport, only one euro is allocated to Alicante. He argues this distribution reduces Alicante’s competitiveness progressively. In his complaint, Uepal highlights that the province’s airport, ranking fifth in Spain by total passenger volume, remains the only airport in its category without a rail connection. This forces passengers to navigate a web of complex and costly journeys to reach their ultimate destination. Sellés recalled an initial commitment from the State regarding rail access and warned that the 2026 timeline for a rail link might slip, making it unlikely that the airport will maintain its role as a gateway while other projects in the region grab attention. The concern is that by 2030 there may be insufficient time for a practical rail connection, undermining the airport’s standing as a regional hub and affecting the flow of critical infrastructure investments elsewhere.
In this backdrop, CEV Alicante recommended César Quintanilla as the new vice president and the two organizations explored differences in approach with Uepal. The ceasefire previously announced between CEV and Uepal is noted as having held until recent tensions resurfaced after the dismissal of Sellés for reasons the employers’ association described as justified. Sellés has not accepted the outcome and has signaled continued resistance in the face of ongoing disputes tied to his claims and the balance of influence within the province. He expressed disappointment at being excluded when advocating for provincial interests, a sentiment that has fueled the friction between the two groups. Reports indicate persistent unease regarding how projects are championed by the confederations and how leadership transitions are perceived by member firms.
Further developments followed the dismissal earlier in the week, with fresh disputes arising after CEV Alicante announced its choice of leadership on Wednesday. César Quintanilla has been named as the new vice president, a move that deepens the gap with Uepal. Uepal’s leadership denounced what it called a lack of respect from employers toward the chosen representative, while the confederation maintained that the layoffs were justified and persistently argued that the decision reflected confidence or lack thereof in a concrete leader rather than a judgment on the association as a whole. The broader issue remains the strategic direction and governance of regional economic interests as both organizations navigate a complex landscape of funding, infrastructure, and political support. [Citation: Statements from CEV Alicante and Uepal, and subsequent organizational communications.]