It was a night filled with brooms and full buckets, illusion and hope, many selfies, and uploads to social networks as if every like were a vote cast in the neighborhood or district of Carrús. La Foia. In these days, among rival parties, there is little appetite for giving a nod to the other side. The neighbor’s list feels irrelevant for a stretch of 15 days, because the opponent will look exactly like any other rival. The landscape will settle only after the ballots on 28M reveal the truth.
Ruz spoke after the posters went up, reminding readers that information matters in the midst of a crowded campaign.
Bus stop
The traditional Elche election campaign unfolded at the city’s historic bus station, a stage steeped in memory and many stories. It felt like the end of a pilgrimage after a long dinner to win power, as parties of every stripe hung up pictures of their candidates in the spaces allotted for voting. Mayors appeared one after another, and the first night showed how, when candidates gather, disagreements follow. The tone wasn’t gentle or celebratory; it was the prelude to a heated contest, with war-like posture announced before the city.
Alejandro Soler framed the moment by placing the sign that read mayor, a moment perceived as an achievement for the PSOE. The scene suggested that the party relied on a steady, repetitive message for the next two weeks, banking on the impression of eight years of governance as a credential to voters. The claim carried a mix of pride and inevitability, while the rest faced the challenge of proving that more work remained to justify the decision.
Pablo Ruz emphasized themes of illusion and confidence, underscoring a youthful team with a shared profile. Some voters were strongly drawn to the approach, while others remained skeptical, a healthy sign of a diverse electorate weighing the future. The campaign carried a sense that, regardless of outcome, the city deserved a group capable of sustaining momentum beyond the election season.
Cycling
Compromise rolled in on bicycles. Esther Díez led the charge with a composed, persistent energy. Flags appeared, some representing their own party, others the broader banners of Spain or Elche, while Valencian Community flags signaled a broader destiny for the next four years with limited public visibility. Buckets and broomsticks decorated the procession, and some attempts at noise or music made the atmosphere vibrant, if noisy.
Night interviews kept many candidates in motion, and jackets stayed on as a sign of readiness. Some showed a few missteps; others found a rhythm that felt almost effortless. Still, the real engine was a wide network of supporters, sympathizers, and perhaps a hired cadre, all contributing to a morning when Elche woke up plastered in posters and flyers defending or challenging the status quo.
Family photo of Compromís as they biked toward their party’s gathering in Elche.
Mayor
The PSOE pressed a balanced message, with posters repeating a central claim over the next two weeks: the city’s government over the past eight years stood as a sufficient credential to persuade voters. A large tally of projects—perhaps as many as 200—formed part of the narrative, yet some felt the approach was too ceremonial and failed to acknowledge ongoing needs. Carlos González placed the word mayor in bold on his poster, turning a simple title into a focal point of a broader, sometimes hollow-sounding appeal reminiscent of past leaders.
Pablo Ruz leaned on the word illusion and a desire for confidence, compressing intent into a concise message that resonated with a segment of the electorate, especially younger residents who seek change. While many welcomed the optimism, others questioned whether the strategy could withstand growing scrutiny as the campaign progressed toward its final phase.
Marian Campello positions a smiling Esther Díez in a post as a symbol of the campaign’s face-to-face approach.
Ruz or Gonzalez
Either Ruz or González is seen as a potential mayor for Elche as the political landscape shifts toward June 17 and the creation of a new administration. Neither party holds a formal majority, and all major players seem ready to leverage their influence. The era of anonymous deals or purely symbolic power appears unlikely as coalitions crystallize, with Compromís and Vox signaling clear, strategic positions that may prove pivotal if their votes become decisive. The tactical calculus remains unsettled, and the balance of power could hinge on last-minute calculations.
González, for his part, referenced a past law with Minister Grande-Marlaska, suggesting a preference for stability and autonomy rather than constant oversight. The broader question remains: what issues have defined the last years, and where do the candidates stand when facing nationalist partners? The answers will shape the conversations to come.
The PP team captured the night with photographs as posters went up, signaling a disciplined, conventional approach to campaign visibility and messaging.
vox
Vox presented a straightforward, practical lineup that aligns with a familiar regional program. Trust in the candidate’s allies and a known platform simplify the path for voters across Elche, Madrid, and Tudela. The approach offers a clear, consistent message that resonates with a broad spectrum, minimizing ambiguity. In Elche, the formula has proven effective, reinforcing the idea that voters respond to clarity and known commitments rather than elaborate gimmicks.
Esther Díez stands beside her campaign poster, a reminder of the emphasis on visible leadership and straightforward communication.
unexpected impulse
Compromís has reoriented its strategy by distancing from Podemos, while Podemos seeks a breakthrough by aligning with other minor forces and calling on the surprise influence of Yolanda Díaz within the coalition. The electoral math remains intricate under Ley d’Hont, and the path to representation for this western region hinges on a handful of votes and timely negotiations among smaller parties to reach a viable configuration.
Nine recognizable faces on Elche
Moisés García has faced tough negotiations since entering the government array. The idea of a deal is presented as an alternative to Esther Díez, who remains determined to push policies that align with their greenlighted agenda and the nationalists. Public approval takes time, and for some voters, patience matters more than rapid results. In a political climate that can seem narrow, the vote will decide the fate of these choices on 29M.
PSOE in front of its headquarters before punching
Citizen did not go
The Citizen party remains largely unknown, having fallen short of expectations in the last municipal elections. If one looks back, the party’s trajectory shows a pattern of underwhelming support and uncertain momentum. Four years ago, the electorate did not vote for Eduardo García-Ontiveros; they voted for a broader message that did not yet translate into stable representation for the area.
The story of a photo
A speech during the coup echoed similar wording from four years prior. As time passes, it remains to be seen whether the electorate will reclaim the space that leadership, and perhaps a leak of public office, temporarily diluted. Eva Crisol, a former member of parliament, reappears in memory as the records fade and new moments unfold.
González places a poster on Elche last night
with you and your message
Carlos San José and his party approach Elche with a clear plan: win back the votes of localist groups that previously lacked representation, and bring them into a broader, united effort for the city’s future.
Grande-Marlaska pushes González towards Mayor of Elche amid corruption charges against PP
In short, the aim is to be a hinge, a decisive point, though creating a political vacuum is not straightforward. The El Altet Party faces substantial challenges, demanding more than a simple vote. Esquerra Republica stayed away from the event, signaling the complexities of coalition politics.
definitions
Despite persistent tensions, happiness remains elusive. The National Police had to identify several individuals for shouting and insulting different groups during the protest. It underscores a reality: voting alone may not settle the broader questions, and public order remains essential in any democratic process.