In Alicante’s main campaign, the drive focused on mobilizing for 28M amid fears of a return to a political hell and barbarism under the PP. The message highlighted the progress of recent years, the Botànic legacy since 2015, and the long period of PP rule in the Community of Valencia. Among the candidates, Joan Baldoví stood out as a forceful Generalitat hopeful, delivering with intensity even as rain shortened his Cortes appearance and curtailed Aitana Mas’s performance. Earlier, during a closer look at the Alicante City Council, the Compromís mayor Rafa Más and Sara Llobell were present.
Baldoví framed two endangered political models—the left and the PP-led framework—and urged the crowd to mobilize to prevent barbarism from returning. He stressed that citizens are civilized, honorable, and honest, and expressed confidence in triumph on the 28th. Mazon addressed the scene by portraying the Comunidad as a financial trap, recalling 2015 when protests erupted and public services were privatized. Baldoví noted that the PP’s nominee for the Generalitat was being watched by the coalition, hinting that the PSOE had not stood up to defend the region. He also named Gerard Fullana while stressing the need to remove the stigma of a president without executive power and criticizing those who would like to rule from that position.
The article continued with the Valencia region’s political theatre. The candidate who had recently finished his term as a national MP emphasized Compromís’s project for the coming years, advocating plural governance. He argued that leadership changes how things operate, with health, housing, and youth issues looking different under coalition governance than under absolute majorities. He reminded the audience that without Compromís, hospitals might still be run as if by private interests and residents treated as customers rather than patients. The plan included robust projects for health care, shelter, and opportunities for young people to achieve independence earlier.
The housing policy emerged as a central theme. Baldoví insisted on building a public housing framework in collaboration with city councils, enabling young people to move out of their parents’ homes into affordable options.
According to Baldoví, Botànic’s arrival eight years earlier had yielded undeniable progress, and today it could be said that the country is somewhat better off than in 2015. He highlighted the coalition’s work and his own role in Congress, pointing to long-standing achievements such as the development of transport corridors and important urban projects along the coast, as well as plans for the Torrellano area and a major park variation.
Posters of politicians were discussed as part of the broader narrative, contrasting forced smiles with Photoshop exaggerations. Baldoví referenced moments of reconciliation while noting how public figures navigate difficult accusations and political shifts at the city level. Aitana Mas was described as contributing value during trying periods of reconciliation, while Rafa Más was praised for driving change at Alicante’s town hall. The mayoral leadership of Natxo Bellido, a former coalition ally, was acknowledged, with reference to ongoing work in the city.
Before the Generalitat’s candidate spoke, Cortes’s Aitana Mas arrived amid rain, heading the provincial list. She acknowledged the challenges of the past four years marked by emergencies and uncertainties that tested families, businesses, and entrepreneurs. Yet she framed these trials as catalysts that could be turned into promises for the years ahead, insisting on a new human discourse and alliances with the Spanish state because simply wanting change is no longer enough.
Mas highlighted enduring issues such as insufficient funding and local transportation needs, including airport connectivity and rail along the coast. She urged Botànic to prepare for a new phase, calling for a strengths and weaknesses analysis to improve representation in Madrid and Brussels, to strengthen mechanisms between the Generalitat and municipalities, reduce bureaucracy, and develop a localization plan for corporate services.
The final segment of Mas’s intervention recalled a rainy moment on the Esplanade and described how chairs were emptied as rain forced attendees to seek shelter. The discussion then turned to long-term challenges Botànic would face if it repeats after 28M, including curbing exorbitant rent prices and reshaping the economic model toward fairer outcomes. Other goals included a 32-hour workweek, expanded maternity leave, and more day care facilities for the elderly.
Throughout her closing, Mas framed leadership in terms of strength within Compromís, stressing that meaningful progress will require the coalition to hold substantial influence in the government and a calm, inclusive approach where consensus guides decisions and words carry weight.
One of the region’s most voted mayors seeks a new majority
The discussion did not end there. Rafa Mas addressed the public with a candid message to voters deciding whether Barcala should remain mayor with current partners, explore new alignments, or pursue a different leadership path. He conveyed a sense of urgency about delivering stronger public services, tackling inequality, and prioritizing climate action as essential measures for the city’s future.
During a central campaign meeting for 28M, Sara Llobell spoke about envisioning an alternative Alicante that moves beyond a gray, unambitious PP image. She called for reducing pollution, protecting vulnerable residents, and reshaping housing and schools in collaboration with Botànic. The rhetoric included a plea to strengthen cooperation with Elche and to rethink the city’s development in a way that preserves heritage while pursuing sustainable growth.
The campaign in Alicante also featured a face-to-face moment between the PP and PSOE factions, with Mas urging change that benefits all neighborhoods. He argued for a government that doesn’t abandon public services, prioritizes equality, and confronts climate challenges head-on. The conversation illustrated a city at a crossroads: maintain current alliances or redraw the political map to better serve Alicante’s diverse communities.
In a final push, Compromís leaders described the 28M landscape as one where two local lists offered distinct visions for Alicante’s future, each seeking a mandate to realize a more inclusive and vibrant city. The dialogue underscored the need to pair robust public services with sustainable development while keeping housing, schools, and neighborhood improvement central to policy decisions. This reflection on Alicante’s past and future framed the election as a broader test of governance that would shape the region for years to come.