In Alicante, a PSPV-PSOE member marked his first appearance in three months this Friday afternoon. A manager, a long pause, and a handful of primaries framed the moment that served as a ceremonial milestone for Ana Barceló, the socialist district representative, in the regional parliament. Critics once again voiced concerns, pressing for a monthly accountability meeting to review party day events. Tension rose as speeches were delivered by people opposed to Francoist remnants, and the Friday executive committee planned a strategic gesture that could bring Francoists and PSPV-PSOE closer together, led by state secretary Alejandro Soler, if it achieved a meaningful目的.
At that moment, the move came merely two weeks after Ángel Franco earned a seat on the county committee. In this climate, Barceló drew a clear line of distance from the former senator, underscoring that despite Franco’s continued influence over the socialist faction in the capital since his mayoral candidacy, the Autonomous Assembly’s spokesperson maintained that grassroots activists are free to form their own municipal lists.
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The official narrative explaining this renewed alignment points to a period of nearly five months since the polling phase, when party members aligned their aims toward winning both local and regional seats after the primary cycle. They claim to have left behind internal strife between Francoist factions and the people of Alicante. Hostilities peaked during early year primaries to elect the party’s regional president, with Soler, the City Council’s spokesperson, Alcoy’s mayor, and the official candidate facing off. Toni French and the former council member from Elche emerged victorious.
Yet interpretations vary across circles about the revived alliance. Francoist support allegedly proved decisive for Barceló, helping the Valencian socialists, led by general secretary Ximo Puig, to claim victory. Still, bridges between the two groups were subsequently burned. Some view this new approach by Soler and Franco as a bid to consolidate influence in Ontario—err, Alicante—against Valencia and to strengthen their position ahead of roster preparations for the election cycle. In some readings, the move signals a broader clash, not only with Ana Barceló, whose candidacy in Elche faced questions after her provincial secretary election, but also with Ximo Puig. A communiqué issued after the gathering underscored the duty of the provincial secretary, stressing that the whole party must back Barceló and that discussions must be followed by action.
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The prevailing sentiment inside Alicante’s socialist circle was that Soler should return to the executive frame. The stance was that provincial interests outweighed regional or national agendas, aligning the two leaders on roughly the same plane. Soler’s visit with his deputy, Yolanda Seva, a former mayor of Santa Pola and a key Alexandria ally, aimed to highlight efforts to boost investment in the General Government Budget. A year later, reality offered a harsher perspective for the province, with emphasis on the Generalitat Valenciana’s role returning to Alicante as highlighted by local socialists in subsequent remarks.
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Some attendees noted that Soler insisted budget negotiations would not fall to lawmakers alone. As a parliamentarian, he signaled a desire to distance himself from any potential wrongdoing facing Alicante, signaling a preference for accountability through the proper channels rather than personal risk. The conversation reflected broader tensions over leadership and strategy within the city and province as they prepared for the months ahead.