A round trip itinerary. This situation centers on Rafael Sanjuan, a politician who left PSPV after filing a no-confidence motion with the PP that briefly made him mayor of Agres. He has since returned to socialist ranks, and most indicators point toward his re-election, though a last-minute turn of events created confusion in Compromís. Josep Manel Francés, the first mayor dismissed due to the earlier motion, is also a member of that party.
The events date back to November 2020, when a trust issue arose related to the approval of French budgets and the confirmation of Sanjuan’s partial commitment of 13 hours per week for 650 euros a month, amid disagreements with his government partner, the socialist councilor Rafael Sanjuan. Three Compromís representatives voted for and against the three councilors from the PP and PSPV, and the mayor at that time failed to win the plenary’s confidence.
Unable to secure a quorum to approve accounts, Frances served as acting mayor for a month. Afterward, the PP councilors and socialists filed a no-confidence motion, positioning Sanjuan as head of the Company.
Following the disclosure of the facts, the mayor, already a socialist, caused his withdrawal from the party for violating internal rules. Yet the protagonist presents a different rationale. Socialist regional secretary Rafael Briet stated that the party has rules to follow, but Sanjuan had the support of the group because Compromís faced a situation created by the mayor, who pressed a question of confidence that seemed illogical, according to his account.
According to Briet, the Valencia exile claimed approval for budgets valid only for two months without proper deliberation and objected to the Intervention section. The only option offered was to vote in favor without further discussion.
Sanjuan was reinstated almost a year ago after a positive report, and PSPV’s plan is to run him again as the Agres mayoral candidate in the elections scheduled for May 28. This prospect remains likely, though a last-minute surprise could still occur.
The current mayor emphasizes that he requested his withdrawal from the party following the no-confidence motion. He says, “I realized it could cause problems for me, but I discussed everything I had done and sought reinstatement because I believed I was acting correctly, and I still think so, since Compromís did not offer another option. I still wonder why the previous mayor wanted to push extended budgets, a matter of trust that legally requires a motion of no confidence within one month. It all seemed nonsense.”
Sanjuan remained the city council leader after his reinstatement and is now weighing PSPV’s invitation to stand again as a candidate. The party’s position appears to be moving in that direction, even as other voices hint at possible surprises. He notes that this is a decision that requires careful consideration.
No-confidence motion against Agres again pits PSPV and Compromís in a political clash
The current mayor remains firm about his actions. He points out that he asked to withdraw from the party after the motion and, after reflecting on the matter, sought reinstatement because he believed his choices were justified. He argues that Compromís did not present another option, and he continues to question the previous administration’s motive for approving extended budgets, a move he regards as a trust-related issue that legally required a timely no-confidence vote. The situation reflects a broader pattern of internal party dynamics that have repeatedly surfaced in Agres.
Rafael Sanjuan stayed in his role as city council leader after his comeback and is considering the PSPV invitation to run again as mayor. The plan to nominate him remains the most visible option, though there is always room for a last-minute deviation. In any case, he stresses that the decision requires thoughtful reflection.
Compromise Criticisms
From the Compromís side, there is visible astonishment. Gerard Fullana, spokesperson for this group on the Alicante County Council, described the idea of a PSPV candidacy for mayor as inexplicable. He warned that anti-transfer agreements were left ineffective and argued that such actions undermine democratic integrity. This critique captures the central tension between the two parties and highlights concerns about discipline, party rules, and the consequences of shifting allegiances in local governance. [Attribution: regional press coverage of the Agres case, 2020–2024]