Elda’s municipal race kicked off with a spirited debate among the candidates. The discussion centered on information and TV coverage, laying out the agenda as the city moves through a campaign built around municipal leadership across the 14 provincial districts. The gathering featured Ruben Alfaro for PSOE, Paco Sánchez for PP, Fran Muñoz for Cs, Inaki Pérez representing Elda (AB, Compromís, and Podemos), and Paqui Vicente for Vox.
Three thematic blocks guided the conversation: the local economy, the urban development model, and the mechanics of governing coalitions. Each segment explored practical steps and policy considerations that could shape Elda’s trajectory in the coming years.
Election coverage on Information TV captured the essence of the exchange: an event that saw the incumbent mayor, Rubén Alfaro, highlight the city’s improved standing since the PSOE ended the PP’s eight-year rule. He pointed to population growth of 14,730 residents, a net gain of 700 people since 2015, a 31% drop in unemployment, the creation of 2,300 fewer jobless individuals, and 126 new companies formed.
Inaki Pérez framed the coalition’s aims around national labor reforms championed by Yolanda Díaz, arguing that inspections and reforms addressed insecurity and the informal economy. He described these measures as a way to reduce local hardships and to promote greater transparency in governance.
“Since PSOE took charge in Elda, the tax burden has fallen by 21.5% and no taxes have been raised.”
Muñoz offered a different lens, emphasizing that assistance must be paired with capacity-building so residents can access decent jobs. He cited plans to move the north-bound ring road project from a provincial drawer into action, envisioning a road that would link the Madrid corridor with the Campo Alto industrial zone and the future Las Cañadas industrial area. Elche’s example signals Elda’s need to compete effectively in a modern economy, according to Muñoz.
Paqui Vicente challenged the narrative, arguing that claiming success requires tangible outcomes such as creating 700 new jobs over eight years and lowering unemployment from its current highs. She noted Valencia Community’s higher unemployment rates and urged a more aggressive, results-focused approach.
Paco Sánchez highlighted Elda’s net still-high IBI, acknowledging that the city remains one of the top tax-burdened locales in Spain and in the province. He proposed establishing a Las Cañadas logistics park to unlock land for development, noting that a 6,000-square-meter site with highway access could host thousands of jobs. He criticized eight years without decisive action and pressed Alfaro to update his rhetoric in light of the latest data. Alfaro countered that the tax burden reduction of 21.5% during PSOE governance is backed by Ministry of Finance figures and that Elda’s per-capita municipal tax load sits around 442 euros, well below the national benchmark.
“We would welcome PSOE support for PP if electoral outcomes place the PP in power, and vice versa.”
Inaki Pérez attributed IBI challenges to past mismanagement during joint administration with Adela Pedrosa of the PP, noting regulatory constraints around Las Cañadas due to environmental protections and other EU-related decisions. He underscored aging demographics and hoped for policies that revitalize cultural employment and preserve regional cultural assets, while Muñoz proposed cutting the IBI for seniors whose pensions fall below the inter-professional minimum wage.
He also stressed the importance of workforce training, noting growth from 25 to 52 training cycles and more than 2,500 vocational training quotas that have buttressed the productive sector and youth employment. Alfaro redirected the focus to results and reiterated the plan to keep tax pressure low while expanding public investment in education and neighborhoods.
In the debate’s second segment, consensus emerged around continuing investments in neighborhoods and expanding access to housing, with a common aim of improving living conditions for residents.
“There are neighborhoods that have turned into dangerous ghettos, and three out of ten houses are dilapidated.”
Vicente pledged firm action to reclaim affected areas, boost police presence, and integrate a dedicated security unit to curb smuggling and drug activity. She also highlighted the need to rehabilitate neglected spaces and to reopen cultural venues such as the Music Garden and the Youth House, framing the redevelopment of a large multipurpose facility near the Pepico Amat stadium as a shared goal across administrations and the private sector. Alfaro pointed to more than 500 new parking spaces created during his term and proposed a new 300-car free lot in the old Emerito Maestre warehouses. He cited significant investments in education and neighborhood improvements, including 2.2 million euros for the Cocoliche-La Feria zone and 11.5 million in European funds for city rehabilitation.
“The population is aging, and we need the youth to stay in the city.”
The final block turned to pacts, with Pérez advocating for agreements that respect Elda for All’s program and uphold human rights. Alfaro spoke of the city’s growing reputation and the value of collaboration, noting success comes from dialogue rather than confrontation. Muñoz signaled openness to negotiation, provided it aligns with the broader political landscape and the PSOE’s performance.
“The solution is not handouts but tools enabling people to earn their living.”
On governance, Vicente highlighted the art of political dialogue while acknowledging that some differences persist. Sánchez urged Alfaro to cooperate with the PP if electoral reality places it in power, drawing a parallel with past coalitions. Alfaro stressed the city’s mature political culture and the value of cross-party agreement when it serves Elda’s interests.
Ultimately, the participants converged on the view that mature negotiation and steady policy execution matter most for Elda’s future. The debate underscored a shared commitment to stability, local growth, and a strategy that places people and communities at the center of municipal development. The exchange remains a snapshot of an active, evolving political moment in Elda’s city leadership.