Analysis of Alicante Budget Proposals in 2023
In the province of Alicante, a tension-filled debate rose as Toni Pérez stated that six of ten municipalities would not see Generalitat investment in their 2023 budgets. He claimed the Consell had started a process and presented it as popular after dismissing 230 proposed changes, portraying the region as a priority. The remarks came during a media briefing where the Generalitat highlighted its budget and was joined by regional deputy Fernando Pastor.
230 Changes
Perez noted that 230 amendments were rejected as a bloc by the assembly, while emphasizing that each county in the Alicante province carries pressing investment needs. He argued that the PP has worked tirelessly to secure improvements that boost residents’ lives through investment, employment, economic development, and prosperity.
He asserted that six of ten municipalities would not receive Generalitat investment in 2023 and added that at least half of the four municipalities shown as beneficiaries on paper were projects that were not fully realizable. The criticism framed the budget process as an obstacle to local progress, describing it as a hindrance to the region’s development.
In Pérez’s view, the situation reflected a broader sense of neglect for Alicante within Spain and he criticized the head of the Generalitat, Ximo Puig, for not keeping promises and for appearing to leave the people of Alicante behind.
Mazón’s Latest Proposal: Zero Quotas for New Self-Employed and Re-registrations
Carlos Mazón, president of the PPCV, indicated that the Generalitat would be compelled to adapt its priorities based on a thorough assessment of what towns and cities in the Alicante prefecture require. His deputy Fernando Pastor stated that the case had been dismissed in the context of the budget debate and described changes aimed at benefiting residents as a loss when they were not linked to broader state considerations. He emphasized that many measures originated from Alicante as part of a regional effort within the Consell.
Budgets and the Alicante Province
The discussions framed the budgets as detrimental to Alicante, with Mazón, PPCV, and the Alicante PP arguing for mechanisms to correct what they see as a national policy that has weighed heavily on the province. From May onward, proposals would be advanced to ensure that state action aligns with local needs, particularly in critical projects facing delays in the pipeline.
Among the projects cited as essential were the construction of a new access from the A-7 to the Virgen de los Lirios de Alcoi hospital, the rehabilitation of CEIP Rabassa in Alicante, and the expansion of the Alicante School of Art and Design. Pérez highlighted that forty-six cases were rejected in court, including thirty related to health and other essential infrastructures, underscoring the ongoing tension between local priorities and national budget decisions.
Overall, the dialogue stressed the impact of budget choices on education and health, stressing the need for timely investment in infrastructure and services that directly affect residents across the province.