An unusual process is underway with a result that remains unusually uncertain. Elections at the Alicante Chamber of Commerce have long carried tension, even before the ballots were cast. Two candidates, Juan Rivera, the current president, and Carlos Bath, the vice president, announced their candidacy during the Alicante Economy Night, the chamber’s most important event. From that moment, attempts to broker a compromise between the contenders or to pursue a third path faltered. Both stayed firm. For the first time in decades, there were two candidates, one campaign, and an exceptionally large field. Forty notable figures stood for election. Everything felt unprecedented so far. By May 5, Bath emerged with a decisive advantage. Tescoma’s chief executive and head of the Facpyme trade association managed to secure thirty-nine of the forty plenary seats for his partners, leaving Riera with just one seat. The scene now promises to be equally unusual. The first session of the chamber’s charter, during which the executive committee would appear and Carlos Baño would be confirmed as president, is set to take place in Elche for the first time.
Finally, the Ministry of Sustainable Economy, led by Rafa Climent, which oversees the chambers’ oversight powers, shifted the end of June to the Assembly. On Tuesday the 28th at 18:00, the full constitution is expected to take place. The Bonfires in Alicante are anticipated to close in line with a call that sets the deadline for 15 July, aligning with the minister’s schedule. Some circles, especially those close to Carlos Baño, suspect a different outcome could emerge if an unlikely scenario unfolds today. Yet most observers feel the results are firmly shaped.
In any case, Baño chose Elche as the venue for the chamber’s full constitutional session, arguing that the region extends beyond Alicante and merits outreach to all municipalities. He notes that the cooperation of Elche mayor Carlos González and Economic Incentive mayor Carles Molina will be crucial. It is worth noting that Joaquín Pérez, head of the Alicante CEV and formerly responsible for Elche’s Cedelco, the local employers’ association, is from Elche. In early May, just days before the elections, the business confederation indicated that a deal between the two candidates had been rejected, and the deadline for telematic voting had already passed.
Two sites in central Elche are available through the City Council for the Chamber. One option is the Congress Center, which features an auditorium seating more than 400 people. The other is the Big Theater, with a capacity exceeding 700. Officials plan to visit both venues over the coming days to assess facilities, though the capacity gap is expected to influence the final choice.
Maximum sixty members represent the general assembly. The assembly is responsible for electing the president. Sixty seats are distributed as follows: twelve seats go to the companies that contribute most to the chamber; eight seats come from a recommendation by the CEV board of directors. The remaining seats are optional, but in this cycle three positions did not require ballots because they had a single candidate or the other applicants withdrew.]