Julia Llopis is no longer a member of Alicante’s City Council. She has stepped away from responsibilities in Social Action and Education after formally submitting her resignation this morning. The move comes just days after she participated in a pre-election event for Vox, a party where she was listed as fourth on the Alicante regional ticket. Earlier, Mayor Luis Barcala, a PP figure who wished to avoid presenting her as part of the municipal list for the May elections, signaled that she would not be included in the 28M lineup.
The mayor, who had once been one of Barcala’s standout partners within the PP, announced the councilor’s departure this morning, marking the end of her term on the City Council due to what was described as disregard. Her exit paves the way for shifts within other party slots, with some council members from Ciudadanos, such as Julia Parra or Santiago Román, potentially moving into PP ranks as vacancies open. Following her 2019 mayoral bid, she will also leave the party she joined, the PP.
In the wake of the resignation, Llopis expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as councilor and spoke of fresh political horizons. “Now a new opportunity opens within a party that invited me to join their slate,” she said. “I am excited because my aim is to help drive political change at the regional level, while focusing on what I love most: education.”
On her part, Deputy Government Spokesperson Manuel Villar, speaking for the PP, thanked her for her service. “We are grateful for the time she dedicated to the role. Whether the outcomes were fortunate or challenging, her devotion and effort were appreciated, and our paths now diverge.”
Authorities have already redistributed Llopis’ delegated powers, with Social Action passing to Antonio Peral and Education to Mari Carmen from Spain, following a decree issued this afternoon.
Julia Llopis shifts to Vox after being dropped by Barcala
The governing bloc in Alicante has maneuvering room as the municipal group prepares for the final mandate meetings, anticipated to conclude by late April. If all goes as planned, a cohesive council lineup could form ahead of the upcoming elections. Kristina Garcia continues to advise the PP on city matters. The public is advised to review the latest official records from the Electoral Board regarding the mayoral shifts and candidate lists.
Llopis now stands alongside José Ramón González and Carlos Mazón as one of the notable figures who will not continue with the party after the elections. In 2019, Barcala joined the PP’s slate within Alicante, rising to prominent leadership, while Llopis had previously explored the possibility of joining Vox for Congress before ultimately aligning with the PP.
Farewell message from Julia Llopis, Alicante’s Social Action MP: “It was on my mind to step away…”
Llopis has decided to accept Vox’s offer, following her departure from Barcala’s administration amid a period of controversy. To underscore the political shift, she attended a Vox-organized event at the tram depot parking area alongside local and regional party figures, including Ana Vega, Vox’s Generalitat candidate Carlos Flores, and national MP Jorge Buxadé, with Alicante’s mayor, Carmen Robledillo, present.
Several names have surfaced as potential signatures on the municipal slate under Barcala. Among those discussed are Toni Gallego, president of the Lucentum Foundation and chief architect Rocio Gomez, journalist Main Poquet, and Julio Calero. The Alicante Local Police Commissioner and other current advisers are also potential inclusions in the leadership lineup. In addition to Llopis, some observers expect José Ramón González and other key figures to transition out of the PP after the vote.
reactions
Rafa Mas, Compromís’ candidate for mayor in Alicante, welcomed Llopis’ move to Vox, saying it felt like a return home. He criticized Barcala for allowing the switch to unfold so early, arguing that Llopis’ policies were marked by intolerance and social division, claims not endorsed by Mas but asserted as his view of the political shift. Mas suggested that Vox’s regional presence could influence future governance and questioned whether Llopis would pursue Vox’s agenda at the regional level if Mazón aligns with the far right. When asked about a potential ministerial post in education, Mas stated that Llopis would likely pursue the same approach she did in Alicante, prioritizing educational outcomes and systemic changes over status quo stability.