PP and PSPV Debate Budget Delays and Stalled Activity in Alicante Council
The Alicante Provincial Council is preparing for a general assembly scheduled for next Wednesday to approve the 2024 budget. If no late changes arise, the government team from the Popular Party (PP) is expected to finalize the accounts for the year, with the PSPV-PSOE and Compromís声 voting against the package. The core dispute centers on opposition to certain items, notably the Municipal Cooperation Fund that champions Botany, and broader disagreements about policy matters such as the decision to drop the state surcharge on the Tax on Economic Activities (IAE). These disagreements reflect divergent views on the budget and the council’s funding priorities.
The Finance Commission, which convened on Monday, did little to bridge the gaps between PSPV and Compromís as they align with the government bloc. Even though the administration accepted the opposition’s twenty amendments, totaling more than 1.6 million euros, and despite the spokespeople from the socialist and Valencianist sides highlighting the constructive tone of the first vice-president Ana Serna, the issues surrounding the Cooperation Fund remain a major hurdle heading toward the planned vote at the State Palace. The Socialists have already voiced their opposition to last year’s proposal due to the government team’s reluctance to participate in the Cooperation Fund.
After presenting the draft budget in late 2023, PSPV recorded 87 alterations. Of these, the government team accepted twelve in full and two partially. The socialist spokesman Vicente Arques relayed that roughly a dozen additional changes were proposed by the Finance Commission, but many of these were rejected during Monday’s session. Arques stated that when questioned about the Cooperation Fund, the administration claimed that the fund was voluntary in line with the Generalitat’s budget legislation, yet they still refused to participate without an obligation being imposed. Such remarks followed the Monday meeting.
The Compromís spokesperson, Ximo Perles, recognized the negotiation effort from the PP-led government but noted that Valencians may still oppose the budget in the plenary session. The coalition shared concerns about the PSPV’s stance on the Cooperation Fund and lamented the removal of the IAE state surcharge, arguing that eliminating this tax reduces the Council’s room to maneuver the budget and better meet the needs of smaller municipalities.
Among Vox’s proposals, two of the 18 amendments were considered by the PP. One suggested expanding the Emergency Fund, proposing a rise in the County Council’s budget from 192,000 euros to 2.8 million euros from year to year. In practice, however, the increase will be much smaller, staying at 234,000 euros. Other Vox amendments proposed scrapping the Equality article, promoting the Valencian language and culture, and aligning with the 2030 Agenda, but all were rejected. A party spokesman indicated that a party-wide consultation would determine the final vote stance in the general assembly.
The anticipated vote against PSPV and Compromís could create a scenario rarely seen in the current legislative period. The government team, led by the head of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, had managed to secure only one budget approval during an election year prior to this process. In relation to the 2024 accounts and opposition amendments, Vice President Serna stated that account contributions that benefit the state are included regardless of their source, underscoring a commitment to maintaining support for essential funding streams.
In summary, the budget dynamics in Alicante reflect a broader tension between initiative and constraint. The cooperation fund remains a focal point of contention while amendments and political postures across PSPV, Compromís and Vox shape the path toward the plenary vote. The coming days are likely to determine whether a consensus can be reached or if the budget will face postponement and heightened political maneuvering. This analysis is based on council records and public statements from the parties involved as observed in the deliberative process. [citation: Alicante Provincial Council records]