Last Friday in Elche, council members Alejandro Soler, Ramón Abad and Francis Rubio were publicly noted as absent from a meeting the PSOE had called. The three Elche representatives sit in supra-municipal bodies for the Socialist party, and their absence triggered discussions about the city’s agenda among local leadership. A meeting with the Mayor’s Office last Monday aimed to address the city’s needs, and there were expectations that representatives would report back to the Congress of Deputies, the Valencian Cortes, and the provincial bodies to which Elche belongs. The PSOE stated that no one’s schedule was forced onto the agenda in explaining the no-show. The situation touches on broader political tensions, with opinions split about whether this exchange should be treated as a conflict or as a routine political dispute.
The absentee list had been known for days. In response, the PSOE organized a broader gathering, inviting other Elche lawmakers as well as four members from the PP and one from Vox. The socialists planned to publicly announce the absences by placing small signs bearing the names at the chairs. Present at the event was councilman and regional deputy Juan de Dios Navarro from the PP, along with regional deputies Lucía Peral and José Salas from the PP, Miguel Pascual from Vox, and national deputy Sandra Pascual from the PP. The PSOE noted that discussions with the Generalitat and the Provincial Assembly had not yet taken place about possible demands, though proposals and amendments had already been prepared and shared, with expectations to continue this work with the national government in Madrid.
“Necessary demands”
The Communications Office explained that the meeting was intended to foster collaboration and joint action among parties. The session took place in the Consell room and followed an invitation-based format. At the close, councilman Ruz emphasized the importance of united effort on Elche’s priorities, while the PSOE lamented the MPs’ absence. The same note indicated the individual who chose not to participate in the Elche work.
The Mayor indicated that projects, investments and the city’s future were central themes during the discussion. Deputies are viewed as the embodiment of Elche’s influence with the various administrations. The call centered on asking for and asserting the city’s needs, regardless of party labels. He also highlighted a visible display of unity between the PP and Vox, framing it as a shared commitment to Elche.
public event
Among the trio who did not attend, Ramón Abad has been especially active in Elche affairs, frequently hosting press conferences alongside municipal spokesperson Héctor Díez. Francis Rubio remains less prominent in public events, though he participates in municipal gatherings and in provincial council sessions addressing local issues. Alejandro Soler has played a key role in recent interventions, particularly on state-level matters. The PSOE added that the meeting was part of ongoing work already presented to the administrations, signaling that time has moved on and that the conversation continues in other forums.