Alicante and Valencia: Podemos faces a reshaping phase across districts

The political crossroads widen for Podemos in the province of Alicante. The purple formation is not enjoying its best moment, a circumstance felt by militants and sympathizers alike. After the regional and municipal elections held on 28M, the party appears to be losing its grip at local, provincial, and regional levels, creating a sense of an electoral downturn that has persisted for some time.

This decline has translated into setbacks among its leading figures, including departures from key roles such as Pilar Lima, the regional coordinator and Valencia City Council candidate; Héctor Illueca, a Generalitat candidate; and Xavier Lopez, the Alicante coordinator, among others. Since then, the autonomous structure has been guided by a manager, and the current internal process offers militants a choice among three candidates led by Agustí Pérez, Arantxa Torres, and María Teresa Pérez. The vote is scheduled to close on 2 February, after which parties expect a fresh push to restructure local coordinating boards across the territory.

The progress is watched closely in the provinces, especially in districts such as Alicante and Alcoy, where the party’s leadership shoulders similar responsibilities after the resignations of Xavier López and Trini Rubio, individuals who could not be represented in their respective City Councils. This moment brings renewed attention to how the party is shaping its local leadership in each locale.

Meanwhile, there is some hopeful news for other local groups. In Elche, militants are awaiting the renewal of its local council since last October. The situation in Vega Baja, where circles have faced sidelining for years, calls for more than a vote to revive active militancy.

Alicante

Within this frame, the Alicante district sits at the center of change. It has only been 15 days since the manager responsible for the town group was appointed. The interim leadership currently includes nine people, a figure party sources say reflects renewed participation and could provide a solid base to continue supporting the town.

The challenges faced since the 28M municipal elections are attributed to personal issues, including a controversial incident involving Xavier Lopez and the decision to join Sumar. Lopez, formerly a Podemos spokesperson in Alicante, has been serving as an advisor to the Health Commission in Madrid, where Agustín Santos, Sumar’s number two, oversees related work.

The new manager intends to maintain a visible presence in Alicante, a move seen as a hint toward stabilizing the party’s position in the Valencian Community. The open question now is who will form the team and lead the future of the party in the provincial capital as the anticipated renewal of the local coordinating council approaches and the project aims to last until the next municipal elections in 2027.

Elche

Elche presents a low-profile scenario for Podemos, a common pattern for the party in towns of modest political weight within the Valencian Community. After running for municipal office three times without securing representation, the party has not established a strong local footprint here.

Yet the organization remains active. Anabel Mateu leads in Elche, with militants acting as spokespersons since last October. Following another weak result in the municipal elections, there is expectation of a call to rejuvenate the party’s municipal presence.

The absence of councilors in Elche has led to a perception of a political standstill that has dampened confidence in the party’s vitality. Some militants argue that a lack of internal will and a stagnant national environment after poor election results has contributed to the current state.

Vega Baja

Vega Baja marks a region where Leninist beginnings gave way to a noticeable decline, particularly in Orihuela, where a sweep to change the town’s political landscape ended with diminished militancy and the disappearance of Podemos from the local coalition. The Orihuela circle dissolved around 2021 as members joined Cambiemos Orihuela.

Attempts to reactivate efforts ahead of last year’s municipal elections faltered amid frustration and disillusionment. A lack of support from Valencia leadership left militants unsure about the path forward. María García Sandoval, who represented Podemos on the Orihuela City Council from 2019 to 2023, left the party after her term ended, leaving no active residence in Orihuela and no current manager.

Historically, Vega Baja has seen United Left stand as the left’s reference in multiple towns, with Podemos present in Callosa del Segura and Guardamar. The loss of formal representation underscores the current challenge of reestablishing a stable base in the region.

In Torrevieja, Podemos has not sustained a large militant base, so there was no need for a local manager. Joint projects with United Left and Republican Alternative did not secure entry into the 2023 municipal elections, and the party’s activity in the city has remained limited since.

Alcoy

Alcoy is now one of the towns where the party is most closely managed by a single manager. The resignation of Mayor Trini Rubio after poor results in the last 28M elections left the group leaderless, and uncertainty remains around the party’s standing and participation in future elections.

The weak electoral performance left two councilors from the previous term without seats, Cristian Santiago and Aaron Ferrándiz, and left the Alcoy district with no deputy in Cortes. The party even disbanded its local headquarters due to resource constraints. Rubio explained that the resignation was a personal decision communicated to the party shortly after the elections.

The current situation in Alcoy reflects ongoing internal reorganization needs and leadership gaps that must be addressed as the party heads toward a vote that will determine the future leadership.

Marina Alta and Marina Baixa

In Marina Alta and Marina Baixa Podemos remains largely absent from city councils. The notable exception is Martha Gomez in La Nucia, where she sits on the council under Podemos Alternative for La Nucia in coalition with Compromís. In the May 28 elections, most towns in Marina Baixa have no representation, though activity continues in places like Finestrat or Benidorm as circles persist despite decline.

In Denia, the municipal citizen council will stay functional until a regional coordinator is named. Cristina Molinillos continued as spokesperson alongside Juanjo Nieves, Podemos Dénia candidate, with militants remaining in the town but with no council representation since the 2015 elections.

Podemos maintains activity in coastal towns like Xàbia, Calp, and Moraira, though militants in these areas show limited engagement. Internal consolidation remains challenging in inland towns, where nationalist parties exert influence and competition from other movements shapes Podemos’ trajectory.

Elda

Elda stands out as a relatively stable municipality for Podemos. The group is represented by an advisor in the Elda para Todos municipal coalition, a coalition that includes Compromís and Izquierda Unida. In the 2023 municipal elections, the party won two council seats now in government hands, held by Iñaki Pérez (IU) and Cristina Rodríguez (Compromís).

The Elda chapter emphasizes active participation in municipal governance as key to maintaining a positive trajectory. The local organization, led by Marisa Ibáñez, includes a four-person management team and a dedicated spokesperson. Around 40 militants keep the municipal group functioning and engaged in local initiatives.