Every citizen holds a political worldview that they defend among friends and cast into their vote. Behind every worldview lies a social model. Yet policy goes beyond ideology. In daily life, people expect politicians to fix the practical problems they face, and often these issues are less about belief and more about governance and effective administration. The desire to help others guides these expectations.
Municipal councils understand this well. They are the practical link between residents and other public administrations. They are the most immediate form of government people encounter. Mayors and councillors are the faces residents meet in everyday settings, from the bar or bakery to city hall, listening to concerns whether they fall within their jurisdiction or not, with the aim of finding workable solutions. In this sense, politicians become allies to residents because allies support one another through tough times. This holds true in both large cities and small districts. There is no excuse for letting ideology stand in the way of helping a neighbor access welfare benefits, keeping streets clean, or fixing a broken swing in the park.
Thus, the plenary hall of the city council becomes the most convenient space to put divisions aside and work toward shared goals: making life easier for neighbors, improving public services, and keeping neighborhoods safe and orderly. This is a shared responsibility that transcends partisan lines and focuses on practical needs, including ongoing improvements and daily improvements to daily life.
The Inner Forum is held annually to address the problems faced by inner cities across three provinces in the region. INFORMATION
Proof that these everyday problems lack political ideology lies in their similarity across municipalities, regardless of size or population. This reality supports the case for coordinated action and shared best practices between cities and provinces. Even when municipalities are governed by different parties, a solution that works in one town can often be adapted for another. Core needs tend to be the same, even when responsibility rests with higher levels of government, and there is value in uniting to demand improvements beyond political color. Cities remain entry points for residents to access higher levels of government and services. Mayors and councillors often have easier access to fellow officials than to any neighbor, especially those most disadvantaged.
Coordination among city councils and with the regional government strengthens the collective voice of municipal governance. The aim is to ensure residents feel heard and know that the necessary procedures will be handled efficiently to resolve issues. People do not want to hear about inter-administration conflicts; they want solutions delivered. When citizens engage with council members or mayors, they seek reliable, prompt action that restores normal life.
Ultimately, residents expect effectiveness and efficiency from their leaders. Effectiveness means achieving clear goals and solving problems. Efficiency means using scarce resources wisely; budgets come from taxes paid by neighbors, and those taxes reflect the wealth produced by the municipality, province, or nation. Wealth is created through daily effort—shopkeepers opening stores, workers starting shifts, and entrepreneurs risking personal resources to keep enterprises running. Politicians have an obligation to be both effective and efficient: to optimize budgets and ensure every penny earns the highest possible return, echoing the old adage of maximizing small gains through disciplined stewardship.
The aim of public administration efficiency is agility. Citizens should not be overwhelmed by bureaucracy; repeated forms and procedures can exhaust someone moving from one window to another or from website to website. Intergovernmental coordination and cooperation between city councils matter. People expect to see swift action to open a business, approve a terrace, grant benefits, or carry out important work to prevent streets from flooding or deteriorating. Delays caused by inter-party debates or ideological posturing only frustrate residents. Budget increases should not be the default remedy; first, every effort must be made to solve problems with available resources. Only then can residents view leaders as trustworthy partners.
Alicante stands as an example: a province with diverse municipalities from heavily populated areas to smaller towns. Within it lie examples of industry, tourism, and agriculture, yet across the board the most pressing concerns are shared—especially for those most in need of support from mayors and councillors. It is often said that few rewards rival helping others, and politics shines most when those who govern stay close to the people. In that sense, mayors and councillors hold one of the most straightforward, rewarding roles, and it is worth dedicating effort to this responsibility.