The campaign period ends. The Alicante municipal race, one of the city’s standout contests, has concluded as the six major parties wrapped up their final events this Friday. Most groups, with the exception of Cs, dressed for rain as they wrapped up a campaign trail that leaned more toward street presence than large gatherings in the lead-up to 28M.
On Sunday, May 28, 242,735 Alicante voters were invited to cast ballots at 422 polling stations across 104 districts to determine the next City Council. The Gran Partido Popular (nine seats, 39,477 votes), the PSOE (nine seats, 37,174 votes), Ciudadanos (five seats, 22,254 votes), Unidas Podemos (two seats, 12,224 votes), Compromís (two seats, 9,042 votes), and Vox (two seats, 9,042 votes) led a field with a margin of 8,578 votes separating the top two blocs.
As the campaign closes, the PP appears poised to secure the largest share of votes, a pattern Alicante has seen since 1995 during Luis Díaz Alperi’s first term. The PSOE is expected to hold second place. Yet electoral victories do not always translate into political control; multi-party coalitions increasingly shape town halls and regional legislatures. The 2015 result in Alicante shows how a left bloc can win a majority despite a party leading in votes overall.
Suspicions of Barcala stepping away before 28M
Citizens remains a central question for Alicanteis, a party whose national trajectory has added pressure to its local campaign. Its continued presence could prove pivotal in forming the next municipal government.
Mayor and PP re-election candidate Luis Barcala capped the closing events with a large gathering at the Juan XXIII venue, joined by Generalitat candidate Carlos Mazón. Earlier in the day, Barcala met with Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the national party president, to discuss matters with hospitality sector representatives at a well-known local restaurant. Despite attempts to frame the balance of the campaign, officials from the press booth declined to offer statements to INFORMACIÓN.
Beyond this Friday rally, the PP held two major public events: a kickoff presentation at the tram depots on the first Sunday and another at Plaza Manila the previous Saturday. Barcala highlighted the administration’s work and urged center-right voters to unite behind the PP, even courting disenchanted socialists.
On the PSOE side, mayoral hopeful Ana Barceló spoke to the press at the party’s Alicante headquarters, outlining a strategy centered on close engagement with residents. Barceló stressed that proximity to neighbors would define the municipal government and rehearsed how door-to-door conversations could reveal a plan to elevate the city as a national and international benchmark.
City transformation, social protection and taxes guide Alicante discussions
Barceló, speaking shortly after the campaign’s close at the ADDA Auditorium, criticized Barcala for radio silence during the final stretch. She argued that defending a four-year mandate, with its budget and public services, required ongoing communication with residents. The event also featured Ana Barceló’s candidacy and a visit by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, occurring before the formal start of official campaigning.
Public outreach was a recurring theme, with Ciudadanos presenting its vision for a government formed by professionals from both government and civil society to lead the city forward. Adrián Santos Pérez, the mayor, expressed enthusiasm about the reception to the party’s tents and street activities and highlighted ambitious plans to transform Alicante and restore its prominence on the national stage. Ciudadanos concluded the campaign with a street demonstration in San Gabriel, the area where the mayor resides. A notable crowd gathered at IES Cavanilles for the list announcement, with support from Congress deputy Edmundo Bal, who visited Alicante this week.
United for Alicante reviewed the campaign at Plaza de Ayuntamiento. “Xavi López,” the second on the list, critiqued the absence of a steady mayoral figure and referenced alleged corruption linked to the PP. The coalition emphasized a green belt as an economic axis and a push to strengthen culture and heritage in the city, with Manolo Copé and other members detailing ministerial visits and ongoing discussions with national leaders.
Barcala declines to participate in INFORMATION’s debate and the election interview
Compromís at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento defended its record, with Mayor Rafa Mas arguing that the coalition faced an administration that tried to hide its failures. Mas highlighted the “15-minute city” concept aimed at delivering public services quickly and linking neighborhoods. The Valencian party held its main event on the Esplanade the previous week, with Generalitat candidate Joan Baldoví and Alicante’s top candidate Aitana Mas in attendance.
Vox’s Carmen Robledillo noted a campaign that balanced information stalls across neighborhoods with direct voter meetings. The party closed with a rally featuring its national leader, Santiago Abascal, underscoring a strong, localized push ahead of 28M.
After 17 days of campaigning, Alicante turns toward the ballot box. The focus now shifts to the 28M vote and the future course of the city’s governance.