With more than seventy attendees, United Left-Podemos held an open assembly to report on its activities during the first year of governance in the Alicante City Hall following the municipal elections held on May 28 of the previous year. The event marked a closer connection with neighborhood associations and social groups in the provincial capital. It was organized by Esquerra Republicana, Podemos, and United Left and began with a review of the initiatives that the group’s advisor, Lucía Ibáñez, had brought to the council. The discussion highlighted 29 questions, four motions, three inquiries, and thirteen institutional statements promoted by United Left-Podemos. Additionally, 17 initiatives were presented in collaboration with other municipal groups.
Concurrently, councilor Manoló Copé spoke about his role as the municipal spokesperson and emphasized several key aspects of his work in opposition. The gathering saw the participation of entities such as the neighborhood associations of San Gabriel, Divina Pastora, Parque del Mar, Carolinas Bajas, and Centro Tradicional; the Alicante Limpia Coordinating Body; Ecologists in Action; the Sustainable Port Platform; Architecture Without Borders; BDS País Valencià; the Public Employees Union; and Talatay Nder, among others. These organizations have worked alongside the municipal group over the past year to ensure their voices are heard in city council sessions.
“Listening to the citizens, deciding with them” was the guiding slogan of the open assembly. Attendees contributed ideas and neighborhood demands that organizers say will fuel the development of initiatives intended to improve residents’ lives and present a city model for everyone. After gathering proposals, the organizers planned a second gathering to be held after the summer recess, continuing the work started in this initial open assembly.
As the process moved forward, participants stressed a collaborative approach, aiming to translate community input into concrete measures that address local needs. The event illustrated a commitment to transparent governance and ongoing dialogue with residents as the city council advances its agenda for Alicante. The discussions highlighted a shared goal: to craft policies and projects that reflect the everyday realities of neighborhoods and strengthen civic participation across the urban fabric. The forthcoming summer session is expected to further refine proposals and mobilize broader segments of the community to engage with municipal decision-making processes.
Observers noted that this first year of administration has included a variety of initiatives presented by the group and allied parties, spanning oversight, social programs, and urban development. The assembly served not only as a report-back but also as a consultative forum meant to gather grassroots feedback and validate the path forward before the next cycle of municipal deliberations. The emphasis on inclusive dialogue signals a longer-term strategy to integrate citizen input into planning and budgeting decisions, ensuring that the municipal agenda aligns with the needs and aspirations of diverse neighborhoods across Alicante.