Recent events in Alicante show a political dispute around the City Planning Commission and a broader struggle within the local socialist leadership. Neither the dismissed deputy spokesperson Francesc Sanguino nor his deputy Trini Amorós attended today’s Town Planning Commission meeting, despite being members. The room was empty of representatives from their group, underscoring the depth of the disagreement at the municipal level.
The central topic of the session was the suspension of construction and operation licenses for fuel stations, aimed at ensuring these facilities do not encroach on residential zones for a period of two years. The commission discussed halting the issuance of licenses for gas stations and for photovoltaic power plants while updates to the General Urban Planning Plan (PGOU) are prepared. These regulatory changes will be reflected in two amendments to the current PGOU that the City Council plans to enact. The agenda moved forward with the backing of the current municipal groups on gas stations, while Vox abstained on the item concerning solar surface areas.
Alicante moves to change PGOU to separate gas stations from residential areas
This regulatory revision tightens rules by prohibiting the establishment of fuel stations within 250 meters of residential districts, provided the land is designated as tertiary or industrial. Under present regulations, fuel stations could be built on land classified for residential- tertiary-commercial use.
Sanguino faces renewed pressure as PSPV calls for administrative action
There had been expectation of a local administrator stepping in to quiet the crisis on Friday, but the outcome went the other way. Francesc Sanguino was removed as the socialist municipal spokesperson, and Miguel Millana, the PSPV-PSOE’s local secretary, took his place. Yet the conflict showed no signs of subsiding. In Alicante, the rift between competing factions widened rather than healed. [Observation note: internal council records]
Sanguino’s role as socialist spokesperson and a sanction against another Francoist-leaning member
Observers agree that Sanguino’s resignation is only a symptom of a larger struggle. The Sanchista faction argued that Ángel Franco represents the deeper illness. The crisis centered on governance and loyalty, with 12 of 47 attendees not voting in the executive session, signaling broad discontent. Some members of the Sanchista camp questioned the validity of the vote, while others sought to close the day with clear answers. Organization Secretary Pedro Ródenas closed the meeting, declaring the session over. Among those who remained to vote, Franco supporters and two Alexandrians backed the majority, yielding a result of 32 votes in favor, 1 abstention, out of 45 present, or about 71% approval. [Cited remarks: party meeting minutes]
Puig to Sanguino: the general interest must prevail
Over the weekend, Miguel Millana intensified the pressure. With the local executive tired of waiting for Sanguino’s resignation, the group decided to remove the city spokesperson. The appointed replacement confirmed that Sanguino would no longer draw the full-time salary, signaling that the internal conflict within Alicante’s PSOE remains unresolved. The next steps will determine whether the municipal group has the authority to influence the spokesperson’s position. [Internal party memo]
Continued escalation and the PSPV’s call for administrative action
The Organic Regulation of the General Assembly states that groups must be formed in writing and that any change in a spokesperson must conform to the same appointment rules. The ongoing crisis demonstrates how internal party governance and public policy intersect, affecting city management and public perception. [Regulatory text excerpt from the ROP]