Alcoy Spokesperson Plans to Step Back from Politics After 2023 Elections
Quique Ruiz, the current mayoral spokesperson for the Popular Party (PP) in Alcoy, has announced his intention to retire from political activity following the May 2023 local elections, after it became clear he will not seek re-election as mayor. Until that moment, he will continue to lead the party’s communications and oversee the government team’s work, publicly outlining his ongoing responsibilities. He stressed that once the legislature concludes, he will halt all political activity, effectively ruling out any future role that the party might propose for him beyond the immediate term.
Over the past three years, Ruiz has been seen as a steadfast and vocal critic of the city’s direction. His criticisms have focused on the push to pedestrianize Alcoy’s city center, concerns about available industrial land, and the overall state of municipal finances. Despite a long period of visibility as the party spokesperson, the PP’s regional leadership, under Carlos Mazón, chose to move in a different direction. Since this article first appeared, the PP selected Carlos Pastor, the current Secretary of Employment in the regional administration, as its candidate for 2023, regarded as Mazón’s closest ally.
The mayor explained to the press that his decision to leave politics stems from a desire to serve Alcoy in a different capacity. He said, “I entered politics to work for Alcoy, and since I knew I would not be a candidate in the upcoming elections, the honest course is to step away.” Still, he noted that out of respect for the voters, the four-year term he received in 2019 will be completed. Ruiz also indicated that a person who led the candidacy, such as himself, cannot accept other roles unless they align with the voter’s mandate and the party’s framework.
As the leader of the PP’s municipal group, Ruiz did not specify potential offers he might have declined. From his remarks, however, one could infer that opportunities such as remaining on the party list under Carlos Pastor, pursuing a regional PP role, or taking an advisory position in a government-supported institution were discussed. In any case, he affirmed that he would exit the political arena when the current project ends after the 2023 elections, preserving a clean break from public life at the end of the term.
During the interim, Ruiz emphasized that the party would continue its work unabated. He attended the general assembly at Alcoy Town Hall as usual but did not speak, reinforcing the impression that his departure is imminent. He insisted that his decision to step back has no bearing on ongoing budgetary deliberations or industrial policies, areas where the PP’s councilors Amalia Payá and Lirios García remain actively involved and articulate the party’s stance. The party’s position on these topics will continue to be debated and defended by the PP’s local leadership.
In related developments, Alcoy-Xàtiva has allowed its leadership to engage with Compromís on railway matters, signaling ongoing political maneuvering within the city’s governance. Ruiz reiterated that he would participate only when it is his turn to speak. The PP remains committed to presenting its priorities and defending its proposals during the upcoming State of the City discussions scheduled for the next week, ensuring that the party’s voice is heard in the public arena and that its arguments are clearly laid out for residents to assess. This evolving political landscape in Alcoy reflects broader tensions between the PP and allied groups as the city heads toward the 2023 municipal conclusions and the subsequent reconfiguration of leadership roles, with Ruiz underscoring the importance of a principled, timely transition for himself and the party he serves. The focus remains on governance, accountability, and the future direction Alcoy will take under new leadership and public scrutiny. [Citation: Local political coverage, Alcoy news outlets]