Calp’s local political scene is thinning out as days pass. The council is still led by the PP, and it seems the current rhythm will shift soon, a shift already foreshadowed by the mayor’s circle and the party. Both sides keep the focus tight, choosing not to rush public statements while developments unfold.
The public hopes that the mayor will resign to pursue a new career in Istanbul, mirroring his recent step away from the party’s local chairmanship. Calpina’s team navigates the uncertainty. In contrast, the PP opted for silence yesterday, waiting to see what conditions will bring and leaving the export file for later consideration as events evolve.
Ana Sala has chosen to stay silent as well, letting others interpret the situation as preparations for the next leadership move. Benito Sánchez, the founder of the new Calpina acronym, is married to the mayor and has announced that a roadmap has been launched. A public demonstration is planned for Friday, with the speaker noting that the party has registered and there are no allied parties or candidates yet. Their pace will be deliberate as they take measured steps.
The questions about ideological direction and local priorities remain central. What will We Are Calpe stand for in relation to the citys pressing issues during this period. Benito Sánchez has suggested that a detailed explanation will be provided at the upcoming presentation. For the presidency, the timeline points to the week of April 20 to 25, aligning with the usual local election calendar. There is time to announce proposals and nominations, a process that typically unfolds over a month in city politics, as a review of Calpes administration reveals the highs and lows of governance.
Previously, the PP presidency passed from one leadership to another on February 22, followed by Pilar Cabrera stepping in as the successor. This sequence coincided with César Sánchez taking on the mayoral role, signaling that the current party leadership has a chance to recalibrate and return the government to familiar ground.
More firewood in Calp PP crisis: Ana Sala resigns as local president
Regardless of the internal maneuverings, a key moment arrives on Friday, March 24 at 20:00 at a local hotel to gauge the balance of power. The mayor’s entourage acknowledges lingering hurt over the process and the news that surfaced in January about the party’s future direction. The rift has deepened since then, with a cooling period between César Sánchez and his long-time ally, who have both been part of the PP for over a decade and played central roles in renewing the party at the start of the century.
Ana Sala will step away from party leadership and become an independent member of parliament. As with other municipal structures, this move preserves each member’s rights and responsibilities. Sala currently leads alongside Ciudadanos councilors, a stance that seems unusual in light of recent shifts at the Alicante Provincial Council, where two former Cs lawmakers, Julia Parra and Javier Gutiérrez, resigned this week. The tension at the Marina Alta City Council continues to mount as the political landscape evolves.
The path for César Sánchez outside the current leadership grows clearer. Calpe hosts the second registered slate in a little over a month, but for now it remains the sole faction pushing for a clash of visions. The new leadership, under the mayor’s wife, Benito Sanzhez, was formed on March 9. The pink flamingo logo representing the Las Salinas de Calp keeps the formation easily identifiable. Although the domain has been registered, it only recently became active. The new group is listed in the registry with José Antonio Cortes Utrera as secretary and Aitor Cabrera Garcia as treasurer. Last week, the organization released a statement indicating it would disband its formation and urged votes for the PP and César Sánchez, signaling ongoing strategic realignments within Calp’s political map.