Orihuela’s leadership gathered at La Lonja’s auditorium under the banner Orihuela cannot be stopped with you, as the PSOE candidate and town mayor Carolina Gracia outlined a bold forward-looking agenda. The message centered on assembling a prepared, motivated, and brave team ready to guide Orihuela toward modernization, sustainable growth, and new opportunities for residents across the municipality. The discussion stressed a shift away from past opportunity gaps during prior administrations and set a clear path toward economic development that benefits both Oriolanos and Oriolanas. This plan positions the city to attract investment, expand local livelihoods, and implement practical projects that align with today’s needs and future ambitions.0
Therefore, a structured strategy will be implemented with input from key socioeconomic sectors. The plan includes reviving the historic center, freeing up additional industrial land for a business park, and launching a relief scheme to support the purchase and rehabilitation of homes and buildings. All efforts will be funded in the 2024 budget with a dedicated 400,000 euros. This financial approach aims to position Orihuela as a primary center for innovation and enterprise, drawing in entrepreneurs and industry leaders who want a stable, supportive environment for growth. This marks a practical step toward revitalization that resonates with regional development goals in Vega Baja and beyond. [Source: Ayuntamiento de Orihuela]
Gracia also highlighted goals for a more integrated beach area, designed to streamline administration and expand facilities. A comprehensive leisure plan for youth, seniors, and families was proposed, alongside enhanced basic services for district neighborhoods. The emphasis remained on balanced development that serves all segments of the population while maintaining fiscal responsibility and clear delivery timelines. [Source: Ayuntamiento de Orihuela]
Innovation Minister Josefina Bueno applauded the achievements of Gracia and the council members within a single year, describing the effort as a model of local governance and suggesting an expansion of the mayor’s office in Orihuela as a practical outcome of the momentum. [Source: Valencia regional government]
Council Investments
The discussion then shifted to investments attributed to the Ximo Puig administration in Vega Baja and Orihuela. The plan references the Vega Renhace initiative, the expansion of Vega Baja Hospital, and the construction of new training centers. It also mentions relocating the Generalitat Presidency headquarters to a city that is not the provincial capital and the Torrevieja Hospital project, signaling a broader regional strategy for healthcare and education. These investments are framed as catalysts for local employment, skill development, and long-term economic resilience. [Source: Generalitat Valenciana]
Bueno asserted that Valencia has become a bastion of progressive leadership, noting efforts to safeguard water resources and acknowledging past state transfers that affected funding. The commentary underscored the political shifts shaping regional policy and the way such changes influence municipal budgets and service delivery. [Source: Valencia regional government]
Víctor Ruiz, a former Orihuela councilor and advocate for the new mayor, stressed that Gracia represents the municipality’s ongoing shift toward sustained, locally driven leadership. His remarks reinforced the perception of Gracia as a distinct figure in Orihuela’s political landscape who carries forward the socialist platform with a focus on practical, measurable results. [Source: Local records]
List of Orihuela PSOE candidates
- Carolina Grace Gomez
- Maria Garcia Zafra
- Luis Quesada Rays
- Maria del Milagro Lacarcel Lopez
- Isidro Grao Estan
- Aynara Navarro Juan
- Juan Miguel Lopez Moreno
- Marta Sanchez Seagull
- Pablo Fayos Jordan
- ana sanchez martin
- Borja Sarmiento Menarguez
- Maria del Carmen Robles Martinez
- Fabian Melchor Lozano Garcia
- Miriam Hernandez Escolano
- Manuel Jesus Sabino Cantero
- Maria Murcia Lopez
- Miguel Angel Mateo Pedrera
- Isabel Garcia Luis
- Emilio Zaplana Polo
- Yolanda Moreno Mateo
- Jose Parres Aguilar
- Maria Murcia Sampere
- Pascual Sarmiento
- Teresa Lopez Guillen
- Patrick Robles Lopez
In summary, the address from the council line centers on building a framework where public investment, urban renewal, and social programs intersect to boost economic activity while preserving the identity and character of Orihuela. The emphasis on coordination with regional authorities, practical funding estimates, and a clear plan for infrastructure upgrades demonstrates a commitment to tangible, community-ready improvements that aim to serve residents now and in the years ahead. [Source: Local government communications]