The integration of departing politicians into party ranks has not unfolded as smoothly as expected within the People’s Party. Across several municipalities in the province, tensions emerged, particularly in towns where a new mayor from the orange bloc stepped into office. The process of ordering and listing candidates remains visibly complex, with challenges that go beyond simple personnel changes. In Sant Joan d’Alacant, the ruling coalition made up of the orange party and the PSPV faced public scrutiny as both groups signaled a willingness to collaborate in the upcoming elections scheduled for May 28.
Mayor
The scheduling of the current mayoral list, led by Santiago Rome, who represents Cs, created friction that paused negotiations with significant fanfare. This pause threatened to derail an agreement that had previously raised expectations at the Sant Joan City Council. To keep momentum alive, the two camps resumed discussions. On Thursday, two Cs aides, vice president Julia Parra and spokesperson Javier Gutiérrez, met with councilor Román in a session joined by PP deputy Alejandro Morant and the local PP president Manuel Aracil, the figure who originally pushed the union forward. The meeting aimed to advance the preparation of the electoral list and underscore the alignment with ongoing municipal plans. The talks centered on ensuring that the work supported by Plus Close and Plan remains a priority.
Belated farewell to Javier Gutiérrez: Confirmed departure from Cs, but tenure continues
On the PP side, a parallel development unfolded with a fresh push to close gaps in negotiations. The core figures Román, Parra, Gutiérrez, Morant, and Aracil played pivotal roles, and after Thursday’s public session, another meeting was scheduled for the weekend. Representatives from both sides participated in the preparations, with discussions focusing on aligning a single list while addressing localized incidents in various municipalities. Although occasional tensions and unease among militants were noted, these are understood as a normal part of the transition period. The PP remains determined not to concede ground to Cs rivals and to preserve its advantageous position. Analysts anticipate a conclusive moment of harmony in the near term [Citation: Local political briefings, attribution requested].
Integration
In Elda, the town where integration has produced the most friction to date, Francisco Sánchez, the orange party’s spokesperson in the City Council, and Carlos Mazon now figure prominently in the leadership conversation. The situation sparked a vigorous internal debate within the People’s Party, with as many as fifty members contemplating resignation. Party leadership intervened to calm the situation, and recent developments have helped to restore a more even keel. The same pattern appears in Granja de Rocamora, where the PP candidate is set to become the Liberals’ current mayor, Javier Mora, signaling broader implications for coalition dynamics.
Meanwhile, the process of personnel transfer continues, and new names keep entering the mix. Early indications suggest the next individual likely to appear on the list could be the spokesperson for the Provincial Assembly, Gutiérrez, whose role remains central to the ongoing realignment. The overall trend points to a concerted effort to stabilize the coalition landscape while preserving local electoral objectives. A steady drumbeat of meetings and negotiations underscores a careful, strategic approach to building a unified slate across multiple municipalities [Citation: Provincial assembly updates, attribution requested].