Chapi Theatre, employment, immigration, and the future of the market were the central threads of a public discussion that examined beyond immediate concerns. Since 28M, discussions have touched on taxes, industrial zones, financing, and government arrangements. The conversation, organized by INFORMACIÓN and Información TV in Crevillent, consistently shows that it is hard to talk only about the future. Interventions and responses intertwine with the mandate, the management, and the coalition dynamics. The tripartite compromise among PSOE and l’Esquerra, with echoes from past decades of the People’s Party government, framed the debate with a long historical context.
Minutes before the debate began, tension surfaced among the four candidates at BİLGİ. The setting was charged, underscoring the stakes around the Chapí Theater project and its furniture and access arrangements, a subject that candidates revisited repeatedly as the discussion progressed.
José Manuel Penalva (Acord per Guanyar) appeared confident, fluid in argument, yet failed to clarify Crevillent’s capacity to fund the Chapí Theater project. Lourdes Aznar challenged the new People’s Party image, arguing that the party remains on a path toward reclaiming the mayoralty, while presenting herself as independent. Gema Escolano was clear and vocal about transparency, criticizing what she viewed as missed opportunities to shed blood in local politics. The stance, expressed plainly, indicated the party’s belief in speaking freely in public and in private alike. Penalva urged transparency by noting that the left, along with the coalition, had supported a governance model that could be revisited if the mandates allow it, while PP and Vox signaled their willingness to revisit past accords but did not spell out specifics. The conversation also reflected on the pandemic’s impact on governance and the pride taken in managing the crisis, even as it altered expectations for future actions.
Vox’s representative sat with María Gema Escolano during a break, underscoring the intensity of the exchange. The discussion, lively and engaging, highlighted the Chapí Theater as a crown jewel that remains unopened. Penalva expressed hope that the theater would open within the year, attributing delays to alterations needed to adapt pits or platforms, while emphasizing direct management. The exchange included a pointed dig at the PP’s earlier positions, with Penalva recalling the earlier campaign and its consequences. The debate made clear that while each party sought to promote its program, questions about funding, delays, bureaucracy, and eventual costs for Crevillent residents persisted. Escolano warned about lawsuits and the risk of ongoing delays, stressing that much of the project was financed by the Generalitat and public coffers, potentially requiring further funds. The question of missing funds and where the money went emerged as a recurring concern for the audience and candidates alike.
Other headlines followed, including campaigns that centered on whether the left should once again govern. The possibility of renewing the left-leaning governance arrangement, embodied by the Acord per Guanyar, loomed as a practical consideration in the next legislature. The discussion also explored what responsibilities the new mandate would bear for the city and how financial commitments would be managed in the wake of the pandemic.
The debate then moved to the Market of Crevillent and the development of the Mercado de Abastos. Each party proposed distinct approaches to revitalizing the market, weighing the potential benefits of different models to attract jobs and commerce. The questions revolved around parking, access, and the inclusion of spaces for prepared foods, with some candidates highlighting a promenade project as part of their program. Penalva, in a rare moment of agreement, suggested that many points of consensus would emerge in the next legislature, signaling a readiness to work across party lines to move the city forward.
Taxes and inflation
The discussion about taxes and inflation grew tense. Gema Escolano argued that healthy city accounts should translate into money in citizens’ pockets, advocating for tax relief that resonated with several candidates. Vox’s candidate emphasized a business-friendly tax approach, while Per Guanyar, PSOE, and Acord defended tax measures aimed at easing the burden, including potential freezing of certain incentives. Penalva and Aznar used the moment to connect regional policies with local concerns, referencing Ximo Puig’s proposals for families and a broader tax plan, and noting projections of tax reductions claimed by opponents. The dialogue also addressed the garbage collection rate and the management of service costs. Penalva insisted that an alleged 800,000 euro discrepancy could be explained by an imbalance in services, while Aznar argued that the approach to fees for second homes should reflect proximity to containers and practical considerations for residents.
During a later segment, Penalva and his team defended a record of low unemployment over the past fourteen years and argued that the council should avoid technocratic moves that hinder local projects. The debate revealed a shared interest in updating industrial estates to spur job creation, along with concerns about the need for a new urban plan versus adaptable modifications to the current one. The four-year progress, as viewed by the candidates, pointed toward a more pragmatic path that emphasizes implementation over grand plans.
Lourdes Aznar highlighted the importance of an integrated approach to migration and security. Crevillent’s immigrant population was acknowledged as a resource, yet candidates debated how to balance openness with security. Aznar supported integration while calling for controls, including the potential deployment of cameras to address security concerns. Penalva cautioned against conflating immigration with crime and urged careful messaging to avoid xenophobia. He supported integration initiatives and proposed additional programs to promote mutual understanding, while cameras, if discussed, were framed as tools for crime prevention rather than immigration control. A recent emphasis on Proximity Police units reflected a broader strategy to maintain public safety without stigmatizing newcomers.
In the final minutes, each candidate left a distinct message. Aznar challenged the government team on leadership, taxation, spending, and subsidies. Vox and the voting coalition emphasized accountability for past deals and the need for a consistent public and private stance from the parties. Penalva urged voters to recognize the experience gained during the challenging years of the pandemic and to entrust the city to a responsible, transparent administration. The debate closed with a clear promise to work for Crevillent and to pursue progress with a focus on practical results rather than political theater.