HE Cocentaina’s PSPV-PSOE has unveiled a completely renewed list for the upcoming municipal elections, signaling a fresh chapter for the party in the town. Not a single name from the 2019 ticket remains on the new roster, and the incumbent mayor Mireia Estepa will step aside from frontline politics after two terms at the helm of the City Council. The socialist bid to lead in the next cycle is led by Rubén Muñoz Sánchez, who is set to be the party’s mayoral candidate. The party leadership kept the slate under wraps until autumn, and the full support from the local PSPV group was evident during the formal rollout.
Rubén Muñoz, 31, holds a Law degree with a specialization in Business Law and currently works as a legal adviser. He has been affiliated with PSPV since the age of 18 but had not previously pursued election candidacy. He described the decision to run as a well-considered move, noting that Mireia Estepa’s decision to step back created an opening for new leadership. Muñoz expressed that he feels a strong enthusiasm and determination to extend the socialist governance in Cocentaina, aiming to sustain a long-running era of party leadership. Since 1979, the PSOE has won every municipal election in Cocentaina without interruption. In the 2019 elections, the party secured 2,466 votes and earned eight council seats.
What stands out in the rollout is less about the candidate shift and more about the new faces appearing on the slate. Estepa has indicated a plan to serve as mayor for a maximum of eight years, and none of the current government councilors or the other 2019 nominees are repeating on the new list. Notably, Marcela Richart is listed as number 3; she previously served on the Cultural and Heritage Council from 2015 to 2019. The rest of the roster brings a host of fresh names to the municipal scene. Irene Barrachina, a member of the SOS Casc Antic Cocentaina Platform, appears at number 5 and is widely anticipated to be elected mayor in the forthcoming cycle.
Muñoz emphasizes that the change is not a radical departure but a thoughtful refurbishment aimed at involving younger voices while maintaining experienced contributors. The plan maintains a line of continuity with the current government team, ensuring a smooth transition while highlighting a continued commitment to the town’s priorities. The list received broad support from the local council when it was presented in February, signaling a united front for the party as it gears up for the election battles ahead.
The mayor notes that some members of the current administration would be willing to continue within the new project, yet the leadership has also signaled a desire to build a distinct team with its own identity. When contacted by this newspaper for a comment, Mireia Estepa chose not to comment on the internal specifics. Muñoz, however, described the transition as a source of pride for the party and a clear signal of ambition to secure a sixth consecutive socialist council seat in Cocentaina since 1979. The overarching message is one of strategic stability augmented by fresh energy, backed by the counsel and guidance of experienced figures like Rafael Briet, who served as mayor from 2007 to 2015 and now acts as undersecretary of the Ministry of Regional Policy, Public Works and Mobility.