To advance public transport and strengthen links with urban growth, Mutxamel’s general planning focus has centered on a forward-looking city plan. This topic dominated the election discourse as the nationwide vote approached on Sunday. Six candidates from parties currently represented in the City Council spoke at the event organized by INFORMACIÓN and Information TV this week. Their remarks made it clear that the opposition on the left is pressing for change, while the PP and Cs defend the administration of recent years. Vox has closed its doors to new deals for now, except for the PP alliance with Cs and their partners, who continued to push their shared program.
Opposition calls for changes in the City Council, while PPs and Cs defend the administration conducted over the past four years
Rafael Garcia Berenguer took the helm after Sebastián Cañadas, the long-standing PP mayor, stepped aside following 12 years in office. Antonio Cachinero opened the council meeting, signaling renewed leadership of the PSOE in the chamber. Antonio left, guiding Cs for a third term; Mayor Conxi Martínez took over from Lluis Pastor; Borja Iborra chaired the Unides Podem and EU coalition; Miguel Da Silva reiterated Vox’s stance at the outset.
All election discussions on INFORMACIÓN TV
The urbanization issue has been a central thread in the debates because it embodies rapid growth without planning, insufficient services, and weak connections, underscoring the need for a General Plan (PGOU) to regulate development. The PP candidate stressed that the inheritance of 12 years in governance brought many urban challenges, noting that urban destruction can happen quickly and is expensive to repair. He highlighted ongoing protections of the Assets Catalogue and the Landscape Study as prerequisites for drafting the PGOU.
“With urbanization, we will expand and improve services and connections”
Rafael Garcia Berenguer, speaking for the PP, argued that urban planning should streamline the chaos of the last four decades and emphasized the importance of central parking to boost local shopping and accessibility. Compromís proposed that the PGOU would provide a framework to coordinate the region’s growth, improve transport links, and support public facilities. Borja Iborra countered that the PGOU is a central pillar for organizing regional connections, sports, and educational facilities, accusing the PP and Cs of failing to advance this plan over the years. He also criticized a 12-year administration that supposedly did not respond to residents.
“Mutxamel needs a change. 12 years of steady and disorderly management have brought repeated errors”
Antonio Cachinero, representing PSOE, argued for a fresh course to address urban development concerns. Vox criticized that urban plans tend to surface only during elections, while Cs supported progress that moves Mutxamel beyond being a commuter town. The PSOE mayor disputed accusations of inherited burdens, criticizing flooding risks at schools and institutes and the lack of adequate parking and a new market with only 19 rows; Cs claimed there are 26 spaces and proposed rotational parking. The delay in opening new projects was also debated.
“A Cs change allowed Generalitat to include TRAM in Mutxamel in their accounts”
Antonio Sola of Cs emphasized that public transport is a shared priority and noted that while Compromís argued for rapid urbanization-linked transport, the PSOE supported a city well integrated with its regional backbone. The PP pointed to progress from one to two bus lines under its administration and called for ongoing evolution. Regarding intercity service, the PP urged a connection to San Vicente and a year-round beach link, while Cs advocated for a circular urban line.
“To buy in the center you must enable parking to facilitate movement”
Conxi Martínez of Compromís argued for a quick TRAM route linking Mutxamel with Alicante, stressing the need for a fast option that does not replicate the old bus-based commute of the 1980s. Iborra noted opposition to the project and argued that even a one-hour ride from Alicante to Mutxamel would be unacceptable. The PSOE said Generalitat told them travel could drop under 40 minutes, recalling that the project had Generalitat support. Cs argued that a change in its Cortes composition enabled the project to be counted in Generalitat accounts for the first time. The PP pressed for a 40-minute target, citing documents that suggested a 30-minute travel time on certain routes. Vox criticized the project as a “smokescreen” for public transport expansion.
Savings in the Bank
A point of contention was the 17 million euros saved by the City Council. The PP claimed this money would be reinvested in ongoing projects, pointing to a period of financial stability following a decade of debt. Podemos countered that the 17 million came from residents’ taxes and should be better aligned with local needs. Vox framed the debate as a contrast between past waste and current investment cuts, promising welfare and security policies to residents.
“12 years of PP government didn’t work for the people”
Borja Iborra of United Podem-EU questioned Edificant-related delays, arguing that five critical tasks remained unfinished and expressing concern over the remaining five million in unresolved investments.
Alliances
On pacts, the parties laid out their priorities. The left favored progressive coalitions and a broad deal with multiple groups, while the PP suggested a governability approach with openness to agreements. Cs positioned itself as a stabilizing centrist force in cooperation with the PP, while Vox set red lines and rejected alliances beyond the PP. PSOE representatives insisted on a result-focused approach aimed at improving safety, urbanization, green spaces, and attracting new businesses.
«Between PSOE’s waste and PP’s investment cuts, there are Vox’s welfare and security policies»
Miguel Da Silva of Vox highlighted business support and municipal achievements, while Martínez of Compromís urged the pavilion to be well soundproofed and called Mutxamel to stop being a dorm town and become a living, vibrant community. Iborra outlined a broader vision for a greener, sportier, more inclusive municipality with more companies, and Garcia Berenguer of PP described a governance model with both strengths and areas for improvement, suggesting more robust tourism and improved industrial zones.
Results municipal elections in Alicante 2023 28M
The upcoming vote on May 28 will reveal the latest municipal results for Alicante, with ongoing coverage to update citizens on the outcomes and implications for Mutxamel’s urban planning agenda.