Christmas promises to be a busy period for the Alicante Provincial Council, with little time for rest. This is the takeaway from Toni Pérez, the head of the council, who spoke after the festive celebrations on Wednesday. He indicated that the government team is actively working toward a key milestone: finalizing draft budgets for the upcoming year before the current month ends.
Provincial Council’s priorities in EU funds: education, digitalization and environment
The Benidorm mayor has not ruled out the possibility that the 2023 accounts could require an extension starting January 2, since the drafting process may spill beyond the initial timetable. Following the draft preparation, several steps await: technical scrutiny, consultations with opposition groups, and, ultimately, a vote in the general assembly. These dynamics explain why Toni Pérez signaled that numerous activities are on the horizon at the Provincial Palace in the coming weeks.
If an extension proves necessary, it would mark an unusual move for the institution in recent years. Under the prior administration led by Carlos Mazón, budget extensions were rare. Across his four-year term, most budgets were settled without extensions, and the final year saw an agreement reached mainly with the government team after negotiations with the opposition.
expectations
When pressed about which issues shaped the budget priorities, the Provincial Assembly President noted a strong alignment with the municipality’s recent actions and the institution’s strategy. He emphasized that matters addressed in the 2024 planning reflect demographic challenges, a commitment to smaller municipalities, and improvements in water cycle management. Pérez stated that certain problems appear persistent, yet the Provincial Council must stay engaged to drive progress across the region.
The Speaker of the Provincial Assembly acknowledged that the budget document will serve as a guiding instrument for a pivotal year—the first full year of governance after the elections held on May 28. The objective remains to finalize the budget before year-end, though several technical parameters must be satisfied to obtain final approval. Pérez also highlighted that fiscal rules established by the central government can alter budget figures. He noted that some councils have already approved their accounts and may need adjustments to comply with balance and expenditure ceilings imposed by the government.
doubts
One lingering question concerns the detailed process. The key issue is scheduling the meeting with the three opposition groups PSPV-PSOE, Compromís, and Vox. If the current deadlines hold, those meetings are expected to occur next week. Pérez explained that once the draft is ready, it will be forwarded to technicians for review, while both the government team and the opposition will receive copies to study. He described this as a deeply personal responsibility, underscoring the importance of transparency and accountability in the process.
The President also reached out to other groups, continuing a pattern since taking the helm of the Provincial Council. He suggested that the draft would be presented, followed by a period of political debate, reflection, and ongoing dialogue. There is a possibility that changes could occur during the same plenary session, depending on the discussions. The opposition’s stance differs: the socialist group regrets delays in prior meetings, Vox reports a postponed budget closure, and Compromís warns that postponements could hamper implementation.
The first Christmas toast from a Council rejuvenated by recent elections
The plenary hall of the Alicante Provincial Council set the stage for the institution’s traditional Christmas toast. Toni Pérez addressed the audience, joined by representatives of the three opposition groups: Vicente Arques (PSPV-PSOE), Ximo Perles (Compromís), and Gema Alemán (Vox). All are new faces within the provincial body, marking a year of renewal following the May 28 elections when only six of the previous 31 deputies remained in office.