A tense debate surrounds the appointment of Michael Ortiz, the former mayor of Altea, as the new director of the publicly traded company Proaguas Costa Blanca. The move has sparked a wave of controversy across Alicante’s provincial framework. A day after groups within the PSPV state agency and Compromís criticized the selection process for a lack of transparency, the Valencia coalition announced it would challenge the appointment, citing missing documentation in the recruitment file. The concerns hinge on whether the appointment reflected formal criteria and whether the documentation provided a clear basis for executive selection. The Diputación president, Carlos Mazón, did not participate in or support the board’s decision regarding the company, further complicating the public perception of the decision.
Valencians have also questioned the suitability of the current manager, Juan Luis Martínez, an engineer with a focus on water issues, as a replacement for Miguel Ortiz, who is described as lacking the specific training or field experience valued for a role steering a water management entity like Proaguas. Gerard Fullana’s group stated that only four of the 16 candidates who applied were deemed capable of advancing to the executive position, and that the candidate ultimately chosen was selected through a process influenced by the president of Proaguas. The group contends that the basis for the selection was not uniformly documented and that the process did not robustly demonstrate why Ortiz was the most qualified option. Compromís announced in writing that it would seek additional information that had not appeared in the file and that it would pursue a reconsideration of the appointment due to insufficient documentation and technical justification.
Wednesday, PSPV officials reiterated concerns about transparency in Ortiz’s appointment. A spokesperson noted that the timing of the election cycle should not compromise technical competence in public administration. The PSPV argued that the former Altea mayor lacks the technical profile expected for leading an organization like Proaguas, a role that has been vacant in the current legislative term. The appointment, described as a strategic choice for the company linked to the Diputación, was presented as Ortiz’s candidacy favored by the president. The board approved the proposal during a recent ordinary plenary session. The session occurred against a broader backdrop of regional debates about the provincial agency’s handling of AVE-related concerns and the resources that Diputación has allocated to forest fire prevention and related public safety measures. [Citation: Valencia regional outlets and official statements]