The longest plenary gathering at the Alicante Provincial Assembly since last June brought a flood of developments. The session advanced foundations that had previously earned unanimous support. The agenda for 2023, the final year of the current term, included expected clashes between government deputies and the left opposition, signaling intense debates to come. Allegations of mistreatment at a mental health hospital, the defense of national symbols such as the Spanish flag, and corruption allegations all sparked heated exchanges and even threats to adjourn the session. The atmosphere underscored preparations for a new appointment as elections approach in under three months.
The Plan + Cerca, an alternative stream within the Provincial Assembly Cooperation Fund, was unanimously approved for fiscal year 2023 with a 44.7 million euro donation. An additional investment program totaling 103.5 million was approved to address investment and expenditure requests from Alicante municipalities. A government spokesperson, Javier Gutierrez, affirmed, I am pleased to have the unanimous approval of a historic investment that will reach all town halls and expand funding by nearly half again.
Alicante
The regional representative from the CS party highlighted that the project is truly about Alicante, in contrast to the Cooperative Fund tied to industries controlled by the presidency. Carlos Mazón framed the measure as a Generalitat imposition that undermines provincial autonomy. Although Plan + Cerca received support, a Compromís spokesperson, Gerard Fullana, questioned Gutierrez’s recent statements, noting that some municipalities faced late payments for 2021 and 2022. The critique emphasized that a lack of cooperation with other institutions is not exclusive to Alicante and pointed to broader political tactics in play.
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The Plan + Cerca proposal received unanimous approval, while the opposition pressed for clarification on alleged mistreatment of Doctor Esquerdo. The event, which occurred in September and only surfaced in February, prompted PSPV and Commitment to demand an extraordinary information commission to address responsibility at the center. A People’s deputy, Juan Bautista Roselló, asserted there was no harassment at Doctor Esquerdo, commending the staff and criticizing the use of the situation for partisan purposes.
Roselló’s remarks sparked a row with the opposition. Socialist spokesperson Toni French stated that she would not tolerate disrespect, and warned that if the president did not align with her position, she could be removed from her role. Socialist lawmaker Eva Delgado described the emerging information about the psychiatric hospital as sad and serious and accused Roselló of turning the issue into a circus to attack the socialist spokesperson. Fullana added that requesting information is not disrespectful to patients and staff and accused Mazón of letting the situation escalate. The opposition expressed offense.
flag
The discussion over national symbols continued, following a motion by the government team after Junts deputy Míriam Nogueras moved the flag in Congress. Spain in one view. Gutierrez called the gesture ridiculous yet full of symbolism, suggesting it exposed xenophobic tendencies in exclusionary nationalism.
Fullana countered with a focus on policy outcomes, presenting the flag alongside images of Eduardo Zaplana and Rafael Blasco, and pushed back against the government team’s approach to European fund management under Pedro Sánchez’s administration. Frances rejected the proposed policy stance as ridiculous and described the move as a smear campaign against the administration.
Gil-Albert will professionalize the directing position
The plenary approved an amendment to the statutes of the Cultural Institute of Alicante Juan Gil-Albert to professionalize the managerial role through a public call that ensures merit, promotion, and reconciliation. This reform aims to bring clearer standards and fairness to the leadership selection process, aligning with modern governance practices and enhancing accountability for the cultural institution.