28 million census rises in Alicante: another 10,000 people called to the polls
Political parties are leaning on outside voices to broaden their reach. They are looking beyond party lines to recruit talent from civil society, often placing independents in early positions on regional and municipal slates. As the 28 May elections draw near, this pattern appears across the left and the right, and across local and regional races. In many cases, campaigns trumpet these moves with swagger and spectacle, aiming to create a decisive impression that wins over voters. Alongside long-standing affiliations like unions and business groups, it is the everyday social groups, sports communities, and local festivals that have become the most fertile hunting grounds for independent candidates.
Support for independents is evident in the regional socialist slate that backs Ximo Puig for a renewed Generalitat leadership. Four independents appear on Alicante’s regional socialist list, including l’Alacantí and Yaissel Sánchez, who heads the UGT in La Marina; David Bernardo López, an agricultural engineer and professor at UMH in Orihuela’s Polytechnic School; Mario Villar, who oversees Tourism Intelligence for Turisme Comunitat Valenciana; and Rosario Navalón, UA headquarters coordinator in Elda. The same strategy guides the recent moves within PSPV when Ana Barceló, the city’s mayor, announced a first fifteen names featuring independents Silvia Castell López, a lawyer active with the Azorín AMPA since 2016, and Eduardo Rodríguez, a celebrated former Hercules top scorer known for his ties to the blue-and-white club and the local community’s economic concerns.
Mayor
Barcelo’s push beyond the capital continues in Torrevieja, where a lawyer and teacher named Bárbara Soler leads a regenerative bid for the city that has faced long-standing challenges under its current administration. In Elda, Rubén Alfaro seeks a third term with the addition of María Gisbert and David Guardiola, who will take fourth and fifth spots on the slate. The People’s Party also leans into independents. While Carlos Mazón’s regional list remains in formation, Julia Parra, a former Ciudadanos vice-president, joins as an independent to support Mazón and has quickly become a key part of the governing team by the provincial body. Her arrival aligns with a broader pattern of independents strengthening the core team from the outset.
It has been a hectic week for the barques of the Popular Party as announcements roll out. In Alicante city, mayor and re-election hopeful Luis Barcala revealed two new members, Toni Gallego, Intercity chief and president of the Lucentum Foundation, and journalist Ana Poquet. Barcala also introduced architect Rocío Gómez and police chief Julio Calero as the third and sixth on the list. While these are new faces, their independence is not claimed and they bring a mix of public service and professional credentials to the campaign.
Elche
Pablo Ruz, the longtime mayor of Elche, is expanding the list with new voices from the community. Celia Lastra leads the group from the Alzheimer’s Disease Family Members Association, joined by attorney and advisor Francisco José Soler. Ruz notes that Lastra’s inclusion underscores the project’s focus on people who need government support first. Soler will also contribute as a consultant to the team. On the regional front, the coalition reserves strong positions for climate and energy experts, with screenwriter and journalist Juan Bordera playing a central role. Bordera, connected to Verds-Equo and the broader coalition reserves, emphasizes the value of regional ties when addressing global challenges like energy costs and ecological crises. He also signals openness to independents who share a local, grounded perspective. A broad slate from Compromís includes many independents, featuring Paloma Valverde, a secretary and spokesperson for local clean-energy groups; Enrique Ortiz from Podemos Recuperarlo; Xavi More; Asmik Torosyan, a provincial Armenian Association head; and artist José María Morán Berrutti, a familiar figure in Alicante’s cultural scene. The Cámpora project includes a sizable number of independent operators across the city, led by Adrián Santos Pérez and supported by prominent local businesses such as César Anca, a noted hotel operator who secures a top placement, along with gallery owner Begoña M. Deltell and sociologist Andrés Guirao, who also chairs a basketball club and has strong UA ties. In towns beyond the provincial capital, there is a broader wave of independents: in Elche, Eduardo García-Ontiveros presents new faces Joaquín López and Raúl Sáez, with López bringing neighborhood association leadership experience and Sáez acting as a spokesperson for a local platform. The slate also includes José Joaquín Poveda, a former local police official, and Rafael Pérez Orts, a local businessman in Alcoy, reflecting a diverse approach to building broad local coalitions.