The recent regular plenary session felt like watching Groundhog Day in Alicante’s political scene. Before the elections scheduled for the 28th, the Collaboration Fund controlled the agenda, centering a major jurisdictional dispute that widened the gap between the provincial government led by Carlos Mazón and the Generalitat, chaired by Ximo Puig. The two main factions faced off as the polls loomed. The government bloc defended the Provincial Assembly’s autonomy, while PSPV and Compromís criticized the management of funds and other lingering issues. The debate coincided with the Generalitat’s appeal over the distribution principles of its 2024 investment plan, which had just cleared a session for consideration.
Budget
“Drawing up the budget is our prerogative,” stated a spokesperson for the popular group, reflecting a broader insistence on fiscal sovereignty. Eduardo Dolon, citing cases involving Mónica Oltra or Puig’s brother, supported the government team’s stance, underscoring that, unlike in the Consell, the Provincial Assembly had completed its tasks without political scandals. He added that defending the Assembly’s autonomy was essential, and there was no need to simply follow the crowd, as the Torrevieja mayor reminded everyone.
City Council approves consumer bonus but campaign will start after 28M
During the discussion, a former deputy from the now-dissolved Ciudadanos-aligned bloc, Javier Gutierrez, unexpectedly took the floor. Now listed on the PP regional slate, Gutierrez argued that the Assembly’s work plans include a 120 million euro investment in provincial municipalities, which would bring 56 million euros to local communities under the Cooperation Fund in recent years.
Opposition
The socialist spokesperson, Toni French, lamented that Alicante’s institution transfers relatively few resources to Valencian Community municipalities and noted that projects similar to those in Valencia and Castellón councils are underway elsewhere. The mayor of Alcoy also alleged that 100 million in municipal entrances had been blocked due to what he described as the PP’s boycott of the Cooperation Fund.
Gerard Fullana, spokesperson for Compromís, addressed the Cooperative Fund, calling it aligned with the Provincial Council’s interests. He assessed the current mandate as one marked by managerial difficulties, conflict, and failed projects, all amid the approach of elections.
Unanimous approval for consumer bonds to inject 20 million
The Alicante Provincial Council plenary unanimously backed the call for aid to consumer bonds, a program spanning 129 municipalities and totaling 19.7 million euros. The measure aims to ease the cost pressures on households and stimulate local commerce. The head of the provincial agency, Carlos Mazón, emphasized the program’s importance: it is intended to help families maintain living standards and support urban commerce, thereby stabilizing sales in a time of limited external support from higher levels of government.
Among the 129 municipalities requesting aid, 107 will receive the funds upfront, while 22 have opted to receive the subsidy after demonstrating the eligible use of funds. A handful of smaller councils—Tollos, Famorca, Almudaina, Quatretondeta, Banasau, Alcoleja, Llosa de Camacho, Alcosser, Gorga, Tormos, Sagra, Gaianes, Orxeta, La Vall de Laguar, and Aigues—declined the call.
Each town council may allocate the economic item toward one or more consumer coupon campaigns, decide which organizations to engage, and determine whether to target registered residents or all citizens. The flexibility allows municipalities to tailor assistance to local needs while maintaining oversight over fund usage.