What unfolded on the night of March 28 in Alicante marked a decisive shift on the local political stage. The right gained momentum against PSPV, which saw five of its core strongholds slip away in the municipal elections. Luis Barcala rose with strength, securing an almost absolute majority in the capital and the ability to govern alone. The mood at the Popular Party’s Alicante headquarters mirrored the moment: a sense that the party had reshaped the city’s leadership, especially after absorbing Ciudadanos and boosting council seats from nine to fourteen. The left, meanwhile, showed signs of strain as EU-Podemos and the PSOE under Ana Barceló faltered. Compromís held its ground, while Barcala enjoyed a favorable environment where governance could proceed without formal coalitions.
In Elche, the PSOE still won the mayoralty race with Carlos González, but a coalition with Vox pushed the mayor’s seat to the PP’s Pablo Ruz. Orihuela saw the PSPV’s Carolina García lose command to Pepe Vegara of the PP, reflecting a broader trend of right-leaning gains. San Vicente del Raspeig experienced a similar result as Jesús Villar could not withstand the PP’s momentum led by Pachi Pascual. La Vila Joiosa followed suit, with Andreu Verdú displaced by the PP’s Marcos Zaragoza under pressure from the local Popular group. In Xàbia, Rosa Cardona of the PP eventually led the Municipal Corporation, aided by independents from CpJ and Vox and facing a challenging contest from the socialist José Chulvi.
PSPV did manage to retain mayorships in Elda and Alcoy. In Elda, Rubén Alfaro missed a near-absolute majority by a single council seat, while Alcoy saw Toni Francés accept a role after losing three councillors. Compromise remained a keyword in these outcomes.
The only notable setback for the PP was in Calp, where the party’s grip was tested. Ana Sala had previously led an independent candidacy that shifted control away from PSPV and Compromís, despite PP’s overall gains in other municipalities. The year 2023 likewise brought notable changes to Valencia. On May 28, municipal elections reshaped the city government when the Rialto administration, a coalition of Compromís and PSPV, handed over mayoral powers to PP and Vox. Joan Ribó’s eight-year tenure ended, and María José Catalá took over the mayoralty, returning PP to power eight years after Rita Barberá’s departure and marking a long span in Valencia’s municipal leadership.
The political transformation extended beyond leadership. The city began rethinking its approach to mobility, urban planning, economy, traditions, and public safety. A shift in governance signaled the end of one era and the start of another in Valencia, with changes rippling through how the city operated and how residents experienced urban life.
PP absolute majority in the Provincial Assembly and the rise of Vox
In Alicante province, the PP’s strong municipal results translated into an outright majority in the Provincial Assembly, holding 16 seats. Compromís earned one seat, Vox secured one, and PSPV controlled 13 seats. This marked the party’s first wholesale entry into the provincial institution. Toni Pérez took the presidency, stepping into a role formerly held by Carlos Mazón. A notable feature of this mandate was the renewal of seats: only six deputies repeated, including three from the PP (Ana Serna, Juan de Dios Navarro, Bernabé Cano) and three from the PSPV (José Antonio Amat, Joaquín Hernández, Isabel López). The balance of power reflected a fresh electoral landscape, shaping the province’s governance for years to come. [Attribution: local election records]