And Alicante Corporation demonstrated that despite the closeness of the polls, or perhaps because of it, there are no technical barriers to reaching an agreement at any time. It was necessary to amend a motion submitted by Compromís to paralyze the plenary and adapt the text to the plenary’s powers.
Old Town residents demonstrate against the noise in front of Alicante Town Hall
Finally, under pressure from neighbors who have spent years demanding measures to curb the ongoing issue, the local government approved a deal that would create a commission with a tight expiration date. The bipartisan majority asserted it would allow a single meeting to consider prior work in order to find the best solution to end the frequent disturbances faced by Old Town residents.
The approved text states: “The creation of a full non-permanent commission by the Alicante City Council to monitor the preparation of the Regional Action Plan. The zone must be declared a Special Acoustic Conservation Zone (ZPAE), a Special Acoustic Situation Zone (ZSAE), or an Acoustically Saturated Zone (ZAS).” Depending on the vehicle chosen, the first tasks inherited by the institution after surveys will include determining the intensity of nightlife restrictions.
The life of the commission created will be short, as the municipality plans to disperse within two months after the initial meeting. The period during which the commission will operate runs until the final approval of the relevant opinion. The first session will be convened within fifteen days of ratification. The sessions will be public and open to participation by all neighborhood associations.
Old Town remains the noisiest area in the city and, given the proximity to elections, the matter continues to attract attention. Earlier attempts by United We Can to create two commissions were rejected. The General Assembly also screened proposals from other groups, including the handling of housing emergencies and school infrastructure for children aged 0 to 3 years. Education concerns were raised by Julia Llopis, a councilor, who filed a criminal complaint against parent associations criticizing the administration, accusing them of seeking political positions. The remarks touched on principals from El Somni and Azorín schools, with comments about the AMPA bodies from various schools weaving into the political debate. The discussion highlighted the ongoing tension around how municipal institutions address education and community needs.
The situation of kindergartens, especially after the evacuation of Siete Enanitos due to structural problems and potential demolition, was also raised at the request of the PSOE, which was endorsed by the mayor and supported by technical reports throughout the process.
In the committee structure, Compromís’s request to create a commission to oversee street cleaning and waste management faced opposition. In all three cases, the coalition of right-wing parties (PP, Cs, and Vox) blocked the initiatives. The voting patterns echoed across four corporate statements. One urged the Generalitat to ensure proper and special attention to Alzheimer’s care. The unity among the right-wing party group toppled three left-leaning proposals: declaring Rural titles as “Trash Saturated Regions,” restarting the Finance Commission to approve the 2023 Budget, and the impeachment of Julia Llopis by the Social Action councilor. A spokesman for the PP, Mari Carmen, criticized the left for using the moment to run an election campaign.
However, the unit dissolved moments before the plenary ended. The breakdown stemmed from disagreements among government partners rather than Vox alone. Solun supported the proposal with Compromís and Ciudadanos voting in favor, while the Company and other factions faced accusations of defection. The mayor defended the bipartisan approach, saying the government had signed and stuck to an agreement, acknowledging disagreements but denying any repercussions from them.
Even with pre-election tension, the plenary included unanimous support for a rail link to the airport and a request from the College of Physicians to mark 125 years of collaboration. Changes in markets and Social Action plans were also laid out. The Explanada market would remain in its location at least until October 2024, while the Playa de San Juan market would relocate near Avenida de Nápoles. The Regional Social Services Strategic Plan passed without a vote, with Vox abstaining due to alignment with the 2030 Agenda. Regarding the Low Emission Zone, the councilor noted enforcement would be considered, while cameras would be used to monitor movement for planning purposes.
— Attributions: Local government proceedings and council statements reported by regional press and official minutes.