“The People’s Party, led by Carlos Mazón, is costing the public money by expanding the national budget,” stated Toni Frances, spokesperson for the socialist group in the Alicante Provincial Assembly, on Wednesday. The claim referenced alleged favors and salaries used to benefit supporters linked to the Zaplanistas, such as Miguel Ortiz.
The socialist alleged that Mazón showed hypocrisy when criticizing the salary increase granted to the president of the PP, while at the same time paying higher salaries to other officials and serving as the highest-paid chair in the community’s councils. He also noted resentment toward the raises given to temporary staff of the Consell de Ximo Puig; Ortiz and the Diputación were mentioned as part of the policy that would amount to 80,000 euros.
plenary meeting
An extraordinary general meeting of the Costa Blanca City Water Company, Proaguas CostablancaSA, has been scheduled for next Friday. The venue will be the plenary hall of the Palacio de la Diputación. The agenda includes approval of the Company Budget for the 2023 fiscal year as well as the Annual Actions, Investments, and Financing Program.
In the budget project presented to the General Assembly for 2023, the socialist group notes that the line item for “wages and salaries” in personnel expenses reaches 1,750,000 euros. This marks an increase from 1,535,000 euros in 2022, reflecting an overall rise of 215,000 euros that includes the salary for the new manager.
PSOE and Compromís condemn the uncertainty in the appointment process of Proaguas’ new manager
The socialist position stresses that any wage growth should come from expanding the workforce or improving productivity, not from increasing executive compensation. The statement highlights that payments to Miguel Ortiz, a former provincial head of the PP, lack the technical qualifications typically expected for leading an organization like Proaguas and were appointed without regard to the principles of equality, merit, and competence.
Provincial MP Oscar Mengual explained that the socialist group plans to vote against the salary increase, arguing that public institutions should not be used for private interests and that such practices undermine transparency and fairness.
benevolence
The socialist representative asserted that the darker side of the PP, described as Zaplanism, and favor-based practices would come at a high price for Alicante’s residents.
Both PSPV and Compromís have repeatedly criticized the perceived lack of transparency surrounding Ortiz’s appointment as director of Proaguas. The socialist spokesperson notes that the PP has a tendency to name individuals eight months after an election for terms lasting five years, a pattern they argue betrays merit-based selection.
The PSOE considers Ortiz to lack the technical profile needed to manage Proaguas, a vacancy that coincides with the upcoming legislative year and the organization’s evolving needs.