Alejandro Soler, formerly a member of parliament and provincial secretary for PSPV-PSOE in Alicante, began shifting his focus toward influence over the Government Sub-Delegation. A key unknown was identifying the candidate he hoped to appoint to the role. The sub-delegate position drew closer to Carlos Sánchez, who is linked to the so-called Ximista camp. The spotlight now centers on Juan Antonio Nieves, whose public profile rose when he led the Joves Socialistes in the Elche area and later advised the socialist group within the Alicante Provincial Council, a path that ultimately brought him into public service. Soler, who won the Alicante provincial primary last February against Toni Francés, began the final stretch of the electoral cycle with his sights on the job at the end of September.
Nie vos took office in the middle of the month, a step that is pivotal because the sub-delegate role requires a career official. Sources close to Soler, consulted for this piece, say Nieves has long been on the table for this post, suggesting that the plan to control the Sub-Delegation has been in Soler’s thoughts for some time. Carlos Sánchez’s name had also circulated in the same discussions after Araceli Poblador joined the Congress list in the general elections, even before Sánchez was replaced.
We must also consider the different currents within the state’s socialist movement. Several factions have expressed unease with Soler’s approach, arguing that he has not yet integrated the diverse groups he won in the 2022 primaries into the current leadership, and that changing the subdelegate role might be premature. The congress process to replace Ximo Puig as PSPV general secretary is approaching, and some circles have noted that Carlos Sánchez served effectively during his months as deputy delegate, accepting the position with a little more than a month before the general elections.
In this sense, socialist sources consulted for this report indicate discomfort with Soler’s moves to install an ally in the Subdelegation. They feel the moment is not ideal and insist that all party members be heard. The former mayor of Elche believes the situation appears more controlled now than in recent times. In the primaries, the Ximista candidate won over Toni Francés from Alcoy. Both Soler’s faction and other socialist circles agree on keeping the congress process separate from any maneuver aimed at strengthening the party’s limited institutional power in Alicante. Attention now turns to the Government Delegation of the Valencian Community and what Pilar Bernabé has to say about the evolving Alicante dynamics.
Alejandro Soler moves to take control of the Government Sub-Delegation in Alicante
Local mayors from both PSPV and the People’s Party were consulted and emphasized the importance of highlighting Carlos Sánchez as a trusted ally with a strong presence across the province. Alcoy mayor Toni Frances described Sánchez as approachable and consistently ready to solve problems. Rubén Alfaro of Elden echoed the sentiment, noting Sánchez’s active cooperation with the sub-delegate. Among the Popular Party mayors, Eduardo Dolón of Torrevieja praised Sánchez for facilitating security meetings and addressing local needs. Pepe Vegara of Orihuela highlighted a cooperative, respectful, and open dialogue during the sub-delegate’s tenure. Toni Pérez, president of the Provincial Council in Benidorm, added that the sub-delegate worked well and coordinated with officials on various issues. Beyond these assessments, the central question remains whether Soler’s plan can be realized successfully.
Nearly 20 months of work at the Provincial Palace for PSPV
Juan Antonio Nieves, the candidate Soler is considering to replace Carlos Sánchez, spent nearly 20 months serving with the socialist group in the Alicante Provincial Council. He joined in February 2022 and left at the end of September, when he departed the State House alongside another adviser, Gerard Ortiz. They were replaced by Sandra Martín, a former member of the Valencian Cortes, and Gema Fos, a councilor in Elche. This transition marks a broader reshuffle as the political calendar moves toward forthcoming changes and reconfigurations within the regional leadership.
Sources note the ongoing tension within Alicante’s PSPV leadership as it navigates internal factions, leadership transitions, and the balance of power between local and regional authorities. The discussions around Nieves and Sánchez reflect a strategic effort to shape the province’s representation during a period of renewed political activity and reorganization. The ultimate configuration will depend on how the party manages its primary processes, the broader congress timeline, and the assessment of support among municipal leaders across the area. [Source attribution not available in this text].