The Alicante Factional Divide Within the PSPV-PSOE and Its Implications for Local Leadership
In Alicante, a faction commonly linked to the so-called sanchistas asserts its commitment to keeping the pulse of the PSPV-PSOE’s general secretary and the Consell chairman in balance, with a clear intention to nominate the former councilor for the upcoming city primaries. This stance is presented as a determination to ensure a voice for militants at the ballot box, backed by the claim that securing the necessary guarantees is essential forAdsuar to be considered for nomination. The message is framed as a strategic move to influence who leads the municipal list and, by extension, the future direction of the party in Alicante. [Source: internal party communications]
“We never intend to withdraw.” That declaration, voiced by a faction within the party led by the general secretary of the PSPV-PSOE, Alejandro Soler, is presented as proof that Adsuar’s candidacy will persist through the process, with the goal of selecting the best possible mayor for the city. The emphasis is on perseverance and a long-haul approach to securing control over the city’s political agenda. [Source: party briefings]
Another strand of the sanchismo, informally called the “alejandrinos,” maintains that their objective was never to force a bargain with the Barceló candidacy merely to distribute representation quotas. Instead, they advocate presenting an ambitious alternative that militants themselves will decide upon. Their stated aim is to build a new model for the city, one that aligns with the change Alicante needs and reflects a forward-looking municipal program. [Source: internal discussions]
As the dynamics unfold, the Alexandrians gauge their strength against the faction once led by former senator Ángel Franco, who exercised considerable influence over Alicante’s party apparatus. Puig’s decision to appoint Barceló as the mayoral candidate did not erase the Alexandrian push to field a candidate of their own in opposition to the PP’s Luis Barcala in the imminent election set for May 28, 2023. The leverage of these internal contests remains a central theme, shaping how the party positions itself ahead of a pivotal local race. [Source: party records]
Yet the rift is not uniform. Some sanchistas who oppose Franco argue that the internal elections could deepen divisions within Alicante’s PSOE and advocate strengthening ties with Barceló’s bid. The disagreement reflects a broader tension between maintaining party unity and pursuing an alternative political path that could redefine the city’s governance model. [Source: party commentary]