A public backlash followed the release of General Budgets that show the state’s lowest-ever allocations, while the national average rose to 283.7 euros. Alicante stands at the bottom of per-capita investments with just 84.4 euros per resident, prompting swift responses from Valencian leaders. The Botànic coalition, led by Ximo Puig, called the funding levels inadequate and urged changes, and vice-president Aitana Mas addressed lawmakers to apply pressure on the national government. PPCV leader Carlos Mazón criticized Puig’s ties with the Federal Executive, describing both as humiliating for Alicante. Ultimately, the budgets were seen as merging political factions and intensifying calls for more central investment in Alicante.
The PGE aligns with the Community Regulation, which weighs investment against population size, yet it omits many of Alicante’s needs. The head of the Consell stated that while the overall accounts approach the population-based claim date, Alicante’s portion remains clearly insufficient and hard to justify. He pledged to press for revisiting historical grievances and to seek changes to the accounts.
Puig reminded that the Generalitat has included in its budgets investments that reflect Valencia’s regional realities, urging the Spanish Government to adopt a similar approach.
Entrepreneurs Mobilize Over Alicante’s Investment Shortfall
Aitana Mas, the second vice president of the Generalitat and Consell spokesperson, expressed disappointment with the budget project that focuses on Alicante. Speaking during a plenary gathering in Crevillent, Mas urged the Generalitat, civil society, and Congress representatives to act as a lobbying force for the PGE and to press the government to secure more funds. She also criticized the minister for equality over the small allocation to the province and the failure to meet the amounts promised in the PGE.
In response to Mazón’s critique, the PPCV chief called the PGE a humiliation for Alicante and questioned the Sánchez-Puig duo’s handling of the state’s funds. He noted that negative figures were released shortly after Valencia’s innovation subsidies were announced, underscoring that Alicante would receive only a fifth of the total while the two main Valencian universities, UA and UMH, would share about three million euros from the ten-million pool.
Mas asserted that Puig is openly discriminating against Alicante. She recalled that last year’s budget placed Alicante at the top of the worst performers, and this year’s figures appear even harsher. The criticism pointed to a tense dynamic between Sánchez and Puig, with Mas saying there is little chance of Alicante receiving fair treatment unless a broader change occurs. The activist tone urged recognition of Alicante’s needs and a timely policy shift to rectify perceived injustices.
Barceló, a leading voice within PSPV-PSOE in Cortes and a deputy for Alicante, urged action beyond anger and toward actual grievance rectification. She labeled the budgets the worst ever for Alicante and warned that there is a need for real adjustments, not mere rhetoric, to address the province’s concerns.