In the political arena, tensions run high and the Alicante region sits squarely in the spotlight as campaigning intensifies toward the local and regional elections. By Friday, the countdown will accelerate, with the campaign entering its final stretch. At stake is a showdown between two prominent national figures who anchor the left and the far right of Spain’s political spectrum. On the left, Yolanda Díaz, leader of Sumar and a central figure in Valencian politics, is set to meet the country’s main challenger from the far right, Santiago Abascal of Vox. The encounter is slated for Thursday afternoon, with Díaz choosing Las Cigarreras as her stage, the same venue that recently hosted the United for Alicante listing under the Unides Podem banner. Vox has not publicly confirmed the meeting location for Abascal.
balances
Díaz has been weighing her political moves with careful consideration in recent days. Earlier in the week, it became clear that the second vice president would lend her support to a broader, left-leaning effort that seems to be consolidating loyalty within the Valencian Community. Soon after, Díaz clarified a plan in which Héctor Illueca would accompany her during the Alicante demonstration on the 24th, aligning with Abascal in the city. The next day, the same arrangement would extend to Valencia, where Díaz is scheduled to share the platform with mayor and re-election candidate Joan Ribó, alongside Pilar Lima of Unidas Podem. This sequence underscores a coordinated presence across key cities and the strategic use of shared appearances to amplify the left’s message.
The axes of the campaign: housing, taxes, inflation, climate change and water
As the campaign picks up momentum, the Sumar leadership outlines a docket of roughly twenty campaign events leading up to 28M. The plan includes targeted actions in Alicante and Valencia on the 24th and 25th, designed to mobilize left-wing supporters and reassure partners across the coalition. Illueca welcomed Díaz’s approach, describing her as a source of hope for many and acknowledging the delicate balance she must maintain given her role as vice president. Unidas Podem remains part of a broader alliance, keeping its commitments intact while navigating the complexities of governance and electoral strategy. The emphasis remains on concrete policy discussions around housing affordability, fair taxation, price stability, climate resilience, and sustainable water management, all framed within a broader push for progressive reform.
national leaders
Díaz and Abascal are positioned as the two principal national figures visiting the state for the 28M regional and municipal elections. Pedro Sánchez, the head of government, has already taken to the street, participating in a demonstration at the University of Alicante alongside the socialist candidate Ximo Puig to support the regional leadership’s bid for re-election. The regional president is expected to be in Castellón and Valencia around specific dates but is not anticipated to return to Alicante during this cycle. Within the Partido Popular, Alberto Núñez Feijóo’s team is evaluating a fresh visit after a stop in Elche, with Valencia on the agenda to support Mazón. Vox has signaled a cautious approach about public appearances, signaling that the province will be a key focus for national strategy without confirming each event in advance. The party notes the importance of Alicante as a staging ground where national and local priorities intersect, and that Abascal will participate in an afternoon gathering on the 24th just as other major political figures converge.