Before every reference to Francesc Sanguino, the meme “She looked amazing in her head” was invoked at Alicante City Council. The joking tone aimed at the already-dismissed spokesperson of the socialist group added a spark of theatrical flair tied to his background as a playwright. At the same time, it highlighted the difficulty of translating early, promising ideas into concrete policy. This same obstacle has shaped how party colleagues and the governing team have attempted to work with mayors and other opposition groups.
The caption during a moment of levity in a tense moment with Franco underscored a willingness to mix drama with politics. The era reflected in Alicante saw a push and pull between performance and practicality, where rhetoric sometimes masked real friction between factions and the council’s everyday operations.
That Sanguino aimed for an epic, even grandiose stage during his time at the City Council appeared early. His speeches could be pompous, yet he also embraced silence at key plenary moments. The narrative reads like tragedy turned comedy in its epilogue. The socialist spokesperson often acted as a fragile link between the fist and the rose, feeling abandoned at times, and forced to endure the complexities of a fragmented coalition and a parallel municipal group associated with former party affiliates. Councilors and advisers navigated influence from a longtime political faction as tensions unfolded.
The night of the 2019 municipal elections, when the opposition secured a victory for the ruling coalition, is a marker of how the political landscape evolved for Sanguino. The era’s scenes were etched into memory as the city adjusted to new leadership, while the dynamics within the socialist ranks became more pronounced.
From the outset, Sanguino’s path to candidacy in Alicante was not straightforward. The search for a suitable figure to lead the city faced delays, and preliminary proposals were rejected before the final choice emerged. The playwright’s name resurfaced in discussions, signaling turbulence that would characterize the period. A campaign narrative in late May 2019 stressed a clear independence from broader socialist messaging, an approach that clashed with the regional political climate in Valencia. With the Botànic alliance in flux, strategic shifts in the south of the Community influenced major decisions.
Images from campaign moments in 2019 showed alliances and tensions among key figures. The dynamics between Sanguino, allies with ties to Franco, and the Madrid center created a complex backdrop for legislative moves and political maneuvering.
Sanguino appeared to relish a form of early-stage competition, trading individuals with connections to rival factional lines while seeking to assemble a governing coalition that could withstand internal and external pressures. One notable former official who faced dismissal served as a reminder of the precarious balance within the party apparatus.
Attendance at plenary sessions and the vibrancy of council debates illustrated the city’s political tempo. The leadership of Alicante faced a moment of reckoning as factions faced internal strife and shifting loyalties, with the administration attempting to manage expectations and public perception.
empty leadership
Sanguino’s campaign drew on echoes of the past, including personal conversations, occasional nods to local history, and plans for infrastructure that reflected a broader vision. Proposals to develop the coastline and cultural centers were weighed against the reality of municipal finances and the need for broad consensus. The night of 26-M proved brutal for the socialist ranks, and the party leadership was forced to confront the shortcomings of its messaging and organization. A moment of crisis in the party’s center in Alicante highlighted how fragile the unity could be when public scrutiny intensified.
A few months after the elections, questions about leadership surfaced as the pandemic emerged. The need to present a united front grew, yet Sanguino’s approach often appeared contradictory to the more centrist direction some wanted. The party urged negotiation when possible, but friction with the Madrid leadership and local mayors persisted, complicating attempts to broker deals that could advance a broad municipal agenda. The role of Franco’s allies in local governance remained a point of contention.
As tensions grew, public appearances and internal discussions underscored a broader pattern: the absence of a clear, shared strategy within the socialist group and its coalition. The only stable alliance among most councilors and advisers was a common stance against the spokesperson’s approach, a stance that benefited the mayoral leadership at times but never produced a durable, cohesive plan. Critics pointed to a perceived lack of empathy, difficulties in team-building, and a tendency to fragment rather than unite the group around a shared mission.
By 2021, concerns within the PSPV-PSOE about Sanguino’s management and unpredictable behavior intensified. Efforts to reposition him within the council’s ranks continued into the following year, with some voices regretting the extent of the destabilization caused by prolonged disagreements. The Alicante powder keg was recognized as having the potential to threaten the broader electoral equation, making the upcoming cycle increasingly important.
As the year progressed, the local socialist leadership sought to regain control of the municipal group, attempting to restore order in a climate of internal friction. The broader provincial leadership’s triumphs added new variables to the internal dynamics, with tensions flaring anew as public events kept highlighting divisions within the party.
The year brought visible shifts in strategy: the absence of Sanguino from key political events, alongside the presence of other prominent figures, suggested an effort to recalibrate the party’s public posture. Changes in leadership at other levels of government amplified the sense that the city’s political future depended on a stable, measured approach rather than continued upheaval.
Frustration with years of internal neglect culminated in a dramatic move in mid-July. Sanguino announced plans to purge members connected to the faction aligned with Franco, signaling a final, high-stakes attempt to reshape the council’s leadership. The plan included removing several advisers and restructuring the group’s internal hierarchy, a move aimed at restoring order and signaling a break with past turbulence.
Following this upheaval, Sanguino’s role evolved into a dramatic arc, culminating in a resignation announcement from the regional capital. The subsequent fallout saw leadership changes and a renewed focus on governance over theater, as the city and the party sought to close a turbulent chapter and set a more pragmatic course for the near future.
Sanguino’s last tweets
Terrible quod potui, mighty face meliora.
– Francesc J Sanguino (social media post) 18 July 2022
Latin dating and cultural suggestions
farewell flavored date
His last post, a Latin line: “I tried my best, those who can do better.”
Motherland and cultural discussions in various languages appeared in posts. It was a period of frequent, brief updates and demonstrations of cultural interests, reflecting a public figure who balanced political life with personal expression.
Literature
Amazon book recommendation
Sanguino also suggested one of the season’s readings, Amazonas. Warrior women of mythology.