Alicante passes the European summit

Despite the existence of leaders such as Spanish Pedro Sánchez, French Emmanuel Macron and Portuguese António Costa, as well as the German Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the Commission, and the Belgian Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, as well as citizens who came to the scene Around the Casa Mediterráneo is the only place where you can guess the figure of European leaders from afar. There were several bystanders and some outraged individuals who repeated the usual shouts against Sánchez as a “traitor” and reminded him of his deals with Bildu. There were also some allusions to the “only yes is yes” law. Yes, they were not more than three or four raising their voices. Many others criticized it harshly. “I was a socialist, but not anymore,” said a woman who was concerned about the arrival of Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni.. He did not know that the far-right had canceled his visit at the last moment due to an untimely flu. Covid, another disease Sánchez contracted, initially caused the postponement of the Euro-Mediterranean summit to be held at the end of September.

Despite Meloni’s absence, There were Eurosceptics around the old Benalúa Station. Outside, yes. Even among the shouts heard, there were words that upset those present: “Europeans, you are European!”. They came from a woman who was just behind the security fence and placed the Spanish flag on it. He said he was an orange producer and was angry at the lack of control over citrus imports. from countries outside the continent, mainly South Africa and Argentina. There was also time to remember the war in Ukraine. Another so-called “Putin is your friend” jumped into the air as European leaders slowly arrived at Casa Mediterráneo, where a “close to the ground” menu prepared by Elche’s Susi Díaz awaited them.

More embroidered slogans came from the hands of residents of Alicante’s southern district. They were not many. Nor could they, as they did not have permits to collect banners. Despite the lack of permission, the police turned a blind eye and allowed them to pose with messages like “off shore”. That wasn’t the only slogan they displayed: “ADIF, drive the slum trains away from the coast”, “The tracks sing while ADIF is quiet”, “ADIF has Alicante”, “Casa Mediterráneo, you deserve a better environment”, “Sideways for over thirty years ” or “ADIF and City Council: God elevates them and roads bring them together”. Neighborhood group spokesman Lorenzo Pérez announced that they were meeting to “justify before European leaders” their rejection of “workarounds for the Mediterranean corridor”. “We do not want the rails to be electrified, we want the rails to be removed from the shore. They don’t sell us motorcycles. “Neighbors are not responsible for the historical abuse of Alicante and the failure of politicians to do their part,” he said.

When these European leaders arrived at Casa Mediterráneo from the south entrance of the capital, they were able to see the graffiti on the walls of the coastal roads. What they couldn’t see were the protest banners that had been hanging from the San Gabriel bridge for a long time, as they had been removed early in the morning by city workers.lamented according to the residents of the neighborhood.

In that first hour, the police presence was already conspicuous. from agents National Police as well as the Civil Guard and Alicante Local Police, each with their own strength. Local associations mainly Clear traffic on the section of Avenida de Elche between Calle Federico Mayo and Óscar Esplá to facilitate the arrival of official delegations. That traffic interruption Some uninformed “jumped” and caused tension by security personnel when they were caught between their commercial vehicles and official cars.caused certain detentions that did not go any further.

The safety device included: sewerswith a review before the arrival of European leaders and Alicante skyIt strengthened surveillance with helicopters and drones in the presence of presidents and heads of state at the old train station, which started to process its operating license after being in operation for about 10 years. In fact, the first project is still not fully implemented due to financial problems. Among those present at lunch, Generalitat President Ximo Puig and Alicante Mayor Luis Barcala, The maximum number of persons responsible for the City Council, who must regulate the activities of the diplomatic institution.

A morning of contrasts in Alicante

With the cookie wrapper, the water bottles, and a few tins. The Euro-Mediterranean summit went unnoticed throughout much of the city of Alicante. But also for those who have to conform to their habits in the setting of Casa Mediterráneo with daily, survival obligations.

A few meters from the old Benalúa Station, near the imposing security deployment where European leaders moved, a homeless person to whom residents were accustomed could be seen sitting in their everyday chair. It’s like there’s nothing next to it. With clothing displayed on the fence of the park that was recently cleaned to air it out. His cane is on the ground to assist him in his short trips in the region. They are surrounded by bags full of food to pass the day.

Alicante mayor Luis Barcala, who has been operating inside the building for ten years but still unfinished, was an advocate for the law that fines the homeless for flushing or sleeping with the flush. This controversial norm actually reached Europe, allegedly not complying with the articles of the European Pillar of Social Rights and the Lisbon Declaration, as well as the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.