Manuel Desantes, a Professor of Private International Law at the University of Alicante, spoke at the conference titled Possibilities for the socio-economic development of the Alicante-Elche Functional Region. The event was organized with the collaboration of the Alicante State Labor Union (UEPAL) and supported by the Alicante Provincial Council and the University of Alicante. The speakers highlighted a proposal to include the metropolitan area comprising Alicante and Elche in the European Union catalog, arguing this would deliver full autonomy and comprehensive development capacity for the province as a whole.
Desantes explained that the European Union currently lists around one hundred metropolitan areas that meet its criteria, and that Elche and Alicante fit these conditions with a combined population nearing one million. He noted that the region now has a clearer horizon of opportunities that could benefit the entire province as it adapts to a non-circular era with Madrid or Valencia as geographic centers. He emphasized the need to present the Elche-Alicante metropolitan axis as a strong candidate for inclusion in the EU metropolitan catalog due to its population base and job potential, which align with the bloc’s established criteria.
Juan José Sellés, president of UEPAL, said that the fourth edition of the conference series on the Elche-Alicante Functional Zone followed a forum that gathered more than 100 participants at the University of Alicante venue. This edition took a more academic and analytical approach with Professor Desantes among the speakers. “As we have warned before, it is essential to think about the future, understand the province’s situation and its budgetary realities, and begin coordinated work if possible,” he stated. He added that strengthening the Elche-Alicante axis is necessary to ensure the region can advance together and defend its interests when facing larger urban centers like Valencia and Madrid.
In this context, the speech from Professor Desantes argued that the combined strength of both cities and the surrounding areas could anchor the province more firmly in the national and European conversation. He pointed to the need for a civil society that actively exploits the province’s assets, which are not replicated elsewhere in Spain. Desantes also explained that Madrid should not be viewed as an adversary, but rather as a partner whose collaboration would reflect gains back to the Alicante-Elche axis. He cautioned against blaming Valencia alone, noting its significant economic influence while underscoring the importance of balanced, face-to-face discussions among equal partners in Madrid and Valencia to advance the regional project.
Desantes warned that the ongoing revolutions in industry and technology demand a departure from Spain’s traditional radial administrative model, which concentrates power in the capitals. He argued that all other provinces, except Alicante, still rely on capital-centered governance, a pattern he called inefficient. He urged a transition toward a network of strong cities and diversified districts that can adapt to digitalization, virtual reality, and new technologies, enabling better regional connections. This, he suggested, would help Alicante and its neighboring communities respond effectively to the challenges of the new era.
From Desantes’ perspective, Spain is home to a unique province that hosts eight major cities with diverse cultures and sophisticated business models, all well-prepared for the future and interconnected across Spain and Europe. He urged civil society and political leaders to define a shared path for the state, working in unison to capitalize on the unity and strength the Elche-Alicante axis can bring to the broader national framework.
historical evolution
Desantes described Alicante as a province that, in the historical context of regional reorganization dating back to the 19th century, was left behind by the major capitals. He argued that the radial model established with administrative centralization favored the provincial capitals instead of the provinces themselves, making Alicante a province that faced structural disadvantages in the past. The Port of Alicante played a key role in this arrangement, becoming a focal point for Madrid while Valencia was comparatively less central to the immediate logistical needs of the era.
The professor highlighted what he called the province’s dysfunction: eight cities with more than fifty thousand inhabitants, coupled with varying social and economic profiles and weak inter-city connectivity. This combination, he argued, makes governance inefficient when viewed from Madrid or Valencia and undermines cohesive regional planning. The implication is that a more integrated, city-network approach could bolster the province’s capacity to respond to contemporary economic and technological shifts.