A group of seasoned public figures stands in the spotlight as they arrive on the scene to close the lists for the 28M district and municipal elections. The profiles span a long arc of public service—one who has governed a municipality for 44 years, a former minister, a spokesperson for the Valencian Parliament in the last legislature, and a veteran trade unionist from Elche. Each of these individuals is described by allies and critics alike as a recognition of a lifetime of work, while supporters frame their placements as strategic boosts for colleagues and as clear signals of commitment to a shared project that has accompanied them through the years.
Jaume Pascual, who has led l’Alqueria d’Asnar as mayor for 44 years and recently stepped back from this election cycle, is seen by many as emblematic of experience that deserves a place on the PSPV-PSOE regional roster for Alicante. His public statement reflects both gratitude and a philosophy of service: the highest honor a person can claim is to serve as the mayor of their own town. He notes that the party invited him to join the regional list, and he agreed on one condition: he would be last on the slate, a symbolic gesture that underscores his dedication to the local community while endorsing the broader regional effort.
The Popular Party is placing its bets with José Juan Reus, who has spent three terms representing Lliber and is seeking a renewed absolute majority in the 28M elections. Concurrently, the Alicante regional slate for the PP is being finalized. Reus expresses a readiness to stand firm for the party whenever needed, asserting his willingness to support the cause at any cost and to be present whenever his experience can help the campaign move forward.
Compromís presents two well-known figures at the foreground of its Alicante strategy, aligning both a regional roster and a municipal presence in the city. Manuel Alcaraz, a former minister, remains a symbol of the long arc of labor and political life, while Natxo Bellido has served as the provincial capital’s municipal spokesperson for eight years and is transitioning to regional politics. Alcaraz jokes about his past role closing rosters in previous campaigns, hinting at a sustained confidence in his capacity to mobilize. Bellido, stepping from municipal to regional leadership, emphasizes the value of bringing busy, committed people to support the project, and Alcaraz echoes that sentiment with a nod to experience and enduring interest in the candidacy.
Ciudadanos fields Emigdio Tormo as a close ally for both the Alicante regional list and the Elche municipal slate. The attorney at the Valencia Courts describes his participation as symbolic, a gesture toward shared aims while prioritizing opportunities for younger voices and new ideas to energize political life. He notes his involvement in campaign events but stresses the importance of making room for fresh perspectives to guide a modern political agenda.
Arias of the Valencian political spectrum converge again as Ana Vega, now serving as the national spokesperson for Vox in the Valencian Parliament, reappears near the helm of the province’s regional list. The arrangement also fills out the municipal list in Alicante, now chaired by Carmen Robledillo with Mario Ortolá in the second slot. Vega expresses pride in the opportunity to close the Alicante list and to contribute a candidacy designed to influence governance in a significant way as the next government team takes shape. The message conveys a focus on effecting tangible change within the city and the region, aligning with a broader vision of leadership continuity and reform.
In Elche, the historical partnership between the PCE and the Workers’ Commissions remains visible as Justo Linde Navarro closes the municipal Unides Podem slate. The long-time advocate emphasizes his readiness to support the alliance that includes Podemos and Esquerra Unida, highlighting a belief in solidarity with workers and a commitment to defend their interests. Navarro speaks with a blend of pragmatism and solidarity, underscoring that the moment calls for steady, principled action and a focus on practical outcomes for the labor community and residents alike.