The Alicante Provincial Council government team, formed by the People’s Party and Citizens, is set to confirm next year’s budgets this Friday. The plan will pass with opposition parties on the left voting against. The PSPV-PSOE and Compromís have voiced disappointment after the provincial agency rejected a proposal tied to the Generalitat Valenciana Municipal Cooperation Fund, arguing that municipal investment in businesses and essential services remains insufficient. The socialist group voiced its concerns publicly last Tuesday, when many socialist mayors gathered outside the State Palace to urge President Carlos Mazón to join the fund, arguing that the state had lost around 100 million in the previous period. The focal point is the ongoing debate about funding and regional responsibilities.
socialist mayors
Toni Frances, Alcoy’s socialist mayor and PSPV spokesperson in the State Council, led the demonstration. He was joined by Elche alderman Carlos González; Elda’s Rubén Alfaro, head of the Valencian Federation of Municipalities and Provinces; Orihuela’s Carolina Gracia; Xixona’s Isabel Lopez; Dolores’ Jose Joaquin Hernandez; Villena’s Fulgencio Cerdan; and Pinoso’s Lázaro Azorín. Other mayors, including Vicente Arques of L’Alfàs del Pi, José Chulvi of Xàbia, and Manuel Pineda of Rafal, did not attend due to parliamentary duties where the Accompaniment Act received approval. Gerard Fullana, Compromís spokesman in Diputación, joined the protest and accused Mazón of pursuing institutional conflict by promoting Diputación’s agenda.
Diputación de Alicante: The 200-year effort to manage state lands and funding
The High Court of the Commonwealth of Valencia has seen cautious steps this month as the Consell temporarily paused the agreement, which would require the state agency to contribute 13.4 million euros to next year’s budget fund. The Provincial Assembly, led by Carlos Mazón of the Popular Party, has long opposed the investment plan, arguing that the Generalitat has encroached on provincial powers. The assembly now appears more confident following a recent judicial decision. Meanwhile, the budget for the Provincial Assembly is set to rise by 4.3 percent next year, reaching 283.7 million euros. The plan prioritizes municipal investment, earmarking more than 133 million euros to maintain services, address depopulation, and support care for residents.
Schedule + Close
This week also features a two-party accord in the Provincial Assembly of Alicante between the PP, Cs, and Compromís. The +Cerca Plan for municipal investment will grow from 30 million to 43.5 million next year, an increase of 45 percent. The agreement marks a first meeting point between the government team and the coalition’s spokesperson Fullana, aiming to prevent Compromís from voting against the budget for a fourth consecutive year at Friday’s plenary session. Mazón has spent weeks seeking a budget agreement, presenting his leadership as capable of constructive dialogue, in contrast with other administrations. He has consistently portrayed the Generalitat as an example of practical governance that keeps the focus on people and services.