Alcoy Faces a Turning Point in its Northern Interior Renewal
Restarting Alcoy’s leadership in the northern interior of Alicante province emerged as a central topic among mayoral hopefuls for the election held on the 28th. Most candidates agreed that the municipality needs renewed industrial support to reclaim its historical regional prominence, yet the routes to spark momentum remained debated. The current mayor and re-election candidate, Toni Frances, underscored the importance of the Alcoy Sur project in the La Canal area, with the PP and Cs factions backing the proposal, while the PSOE’s more left-leaning groups argued in favor of a broader, pooled polygon approach.
The city council’s industrial future dominated the discussion, with an event organized by INFORMACIÓN and Información TV featuring Toni Frances defending La Canal as a necessary response to local demand. The popular candidate acknowledged a demand among Alcoy entrepreneurs and highlighted soil quality south of Alcoy as a key opportunity. This development also found support from the Ciudadanos candidate, Raphael Zamorano, who consistently offered concrete solutions for local businesses. The Vox candidate, David High Priest, proposed linking La Canal with the Clérigo polygon, while criticizing Alcoy Sur and proposing alternative projects.
Those challenging this plan included Guanyar Alcoi, Compromís, and Podem. The Guanyar contender, exhibition Rodriguez, urged exploiting a technology and information industry corridor connecting Alcoy with Vall d’Albaida. The Valencian coalition candidate, Alex Cerradelo, described a policy of pooling industrial land as the core fix, while rejecting narrow political maneuvers and advocating closer collaboration with the Institute of Textile Technology (Aitex) and the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) as viable routes. Podem’s Trini Rubio pushed for the La Canal polygon to address environmental concerns and promote joint ventures.
The article notes a brief break in negotiations with a caption: Take a short break from negotiation. Alex Dominguez
David Abad added that the bike path needs clearer resolution, pointing to the historic center condition as another longstanding issue. He urged housing policies, a direction Frances had at times dismissed, while noting that 380 residences had been rehabilitated and plans for 150 more existed. Alex Cerradelo called for improvements to the housing stock, specifically the public park, and proposed a historic center plan. Trini Rubio recalled that the Municipal Housing Observatory was created under her party’s mandate.
On the broader economic development front, Sergi Rodríguez spoke about new promotional forms that blend reindustrialization with the care of natural parks and the needs of the elderly and dependents. Cerradelo favored a trade incubator and retaining local talent, while Carlos Pastor hinted at the need to boost commerce and Toni Frances pressed for expanding the Valencia Polytechnic University campus and promoting the University of Alicante’s presence in Alcoy.
For a Strong Government
Toni Frances reiterated the aim of governing with a strong, inclusive majority and highlighted a history of annual budgets approved through dialogue and collaboration with other entities. He acknowledged that Guanyar had not backed PSOE on major projects but remained hopeful about future cooperation. Sergi Rodríguez argued that there is a meaningful difference between managing with a coalition and negotiating under pressure, suggesting harmony and plurality yield meaningful change beyond simple continuity.
Toni Frances stressed that Alcoy’s formula rests on a strong yet open government that listens to all sectors. Trini Rubio called for a responsible opposition that participates in a practical, business-minded manner, proposing a governance model that includes broader collaboration. Alex Cerradelo warned that any agreement must address social issues without concessions to austerity. Carlos Pastor insisted there are no fixed red lines but stressed the need to confront issues affecting Alcoy. Rafael Zamorano urged a centrist approach, and David Abad warned against ideological clashes and highlighted the risk of polarizing debates.
In the end, the discussion reflected a city at a crossroads: pursuing industrial growth, housing renewal, and sustainable mobility while balancing the voices of diverse political groups. The ambitions for Alcoy’s future were clear, and the debate underscored the shared belief that a resilient economy must be paired with a livable, inclusive urban environment. This coverage consolidates perspectives from all sides, offering a detailed snapshot of the candidates’ positions and proposed avenues for Alcoy’s development. [citation: INFORMACIÓN]