The Provincial Council of Alicante anchors its decisions in Article 64, paragraph 2 of the organic regulations, which states that a motion or institutional declaration on the same subject cannot be submitted again within nine months. Accordingly, the people’s group withdrew the motion titled “Defense of citizenship.” The reformulation of the Spanish constitution calls for equality among Spaniards and respect for the rule of law and democracy, and this stance was presented in the context of seeking amnesty for Catalan independence politicians and aligning upcoming December discussions with the general assembly session that follows recent holidays. This development came as Pedro Sánchez began his term as Head of Government.
PP distances itself from Vox in the Provincial Assembly: “We oppose gender-based violence”
The amnesty question also surfaced during the prior general assembly. Beginning in October, the regulations oblige us to await mid-2024 before revisiting the topic. The motions selected for discussion come from PSPV-PSOE and Compromís, addressing local administrative support for towns facing depopulation and the implementation of the Plan Planifica. It is notable that Valencian coalition proposals recorded a budget execution rate of about 33% by the end of the third quarter.
Repeat
The popular group intends to reopen a debate similar to the plenary session on October 3, when PP and PSPV MPs clashed over amnesty and ties with the independence movement. This topic has also become a recurring focus for the County Council’s major initiatives in recent years, notably the Municipal Cooperation Fund. In the latest session, the people’s group filed a motion to denounce what they called “the political price demanded by the independence movement,” a proposal that found Vox’s support, even though PP did not back it. Two amendments were proposed by the far-right and faced opposition from PSPV and Compromís.
Putting amnesty on the agenda across municipal governments aligns with national stances observed within the PP. The evidence is visible in continuing discussions across Alicante’s municipal councils, including Elche and Valencia, as well as within Castellón’s Provincial Council. Many sessions displayed a heated tone, with Elche’s leadership condemning amnesty as akin to dictatorship. The city’s mayor, Pablo Ruz, asserted that the debate belongs to the State’s arena, claiming it is a matter of national sovereignty. Catalonia also played a central role in the Alicante City Council plenary last week, where Pedro Sánchez highlighted the ordinary general assembly as a site for reconciling agreements with Catalan parties and debt relief efforts.
Amid these dynamics, the Greek Ombudsman Ángel Luna addressed local governments during the last Municipality Forum hosted by INFORMACIÓN. He urged restraint, criticizing the use of municipal resources for plenary sessions on amnesty and arguing that such discussions concern national issues outside municipal competence. “Politicians are polarized and this is a serious matter. Mayors and council members should focus on the problems neighbors face rather than draining resources,” Luna stated.
Ultimately, despite the vocal concerns, the Provincial Council’s rules prevent a debate on amnesty from moving forward next week. The grassroots group chose to withdraw the motion presented by first vice president Ana Serna, which had been recorded as rejected under the Amnesty Law.
On the other side, the PSPV motion emphasizes strengthening the means for smaller municipalities to secure essential services. Compromís proposes that the state agency commit to allocating funds for hiring staff to improve program implementation and service delivery across localities.
Throughout these exchanges, observers note a broader pattern: local assemblies mirror national debates, while regional governance wrestles with resource constraints and the political consequences of national unity versus regional autonomy. The ongoing discussions underscore how regional bodies navigate legal frameworks, fiscal realities, and evolving public expectations while attempting to maintain stable governance at the local level. This dynamic continues to unfold as planning for future sessions takes shape and councils seek practical solutions for their communities, even as the broader national narrative remains unsettled.