This week, the commitment from PSPV leader Ximo Puig to position the former Health Minister, now a trustee of the socialist parliamentary group in the Valencia Courts, as Alicante’s mayoral candidate was confirmed. For decades, Frank Angel had been the main BarcelonaPresident figure in the city with initial support from much of the party, though the idea did not originate with him and he harbored serious doubts. The so-called “Alejandrinos,” aligned with former mayor and state secretary of Elche Alexander Soler, proposed an alternative candidate, former councilor Maria Jose Adsuar, to run in the primaries. Her aim wasn’t victory alone but to push for a negotiated addition to the municipal list, allowing some allies a seat while limiting, or at least curbing, Francoist influence. Yet no decision addressed what the socialists would do if they won the city. In short, the PSOE enters Alicante’s municipal race with a clear candidate, a unified party, and a promising project. And so it begins.
Barceló was not born in Alicante, nor does he currently live there. This is an objective fact. Yet the real issue in his candidacy goes beyond birth. Alicante is a unique city in this regard. More than half of registered voters were not born in the city, a factor that shapes local politics. Of the seven mayors since Spain’s 1979 democratic restoration, four originated elsewhere, and two even ruled part of their term from outside the city. There is no comparable city center. So Barceló’s birthplace and eight years as Sax’s mayor do not bar him from running, and he could become Alicante’s mayor if the voters choose him. Some historians note that Sax’s water helped address Alicante’s long-standing water supply challenges at the end of the 19th century, a historical irony that stirs debate about inter-territorial solidarity, generosity, and trade balances. The PP tends to attack on this front less often, having historically shown little concern for birth origins when selecting mayors, as seen in Valencia with a former Torrent mayor. Still, anyone who has led Alicante for any party has lived there long enough to know the city and its people. Barceló is, in effect, a political parachutist. The PSOE and PSOE must spend time and energy addressing this, and they appear to feel the pressure.
The Sanchistas press Puig for support and offer Adsuar as mayor
So why does Puig push for his own continuity? He believes the PSOE cannot settle on a name without revisiting a historical Alicante that has long defined the city. Puig’s loyalty and discipline are seen as assets: he wants a candidate who embodies party values, not someone who shifts with the wind. Barceló’s perseverance is respected, from his early industry leadership to his role in public life. Leire Pajín’s tenure as provincial secretary demonstrated the ability to withstand pressure. If a broad alliance forms, negotiators from Compromís and Podemos could influence outcomes, particularly since no party had an outright majority in the next council. Valencian socialists think they could steer Alicante with stronger negotiation skills. Puig’s experience as Minister of Health during the pandemic carries a resonance with voters who remember the public health challenge where empathy for frontline workers grew.
Barceló enters the scene as the challenger, yet his path is not simple. In this contest, the challenger often loses ground first. The party’s internal dynamics matter just as much as the race for mayor, and there is a sense that the city’s future depends on the alignment of party lines with local needs. The party’s narrative is expected to emphasize a fresh start for Alicante while acknowledging the city’s complex history and diverse origins. A former mayor of another town, María José Catalá, has been mentioned as a potential PP candidate in Valencia, mirroring Barceló’s profile as a former minister and district representative. Puig’s decision to back Barceló carries significant risk, but Barceló’s stated commitment to an “exciting challenge” signals determination. The key question remains: where is Barceló headed, and what will he do with the responsibility of leading Alicante?
The central issue remains the party’s unity and strategy. The question is whether the PSOE can sustain a mayoral bid without internal divisions and factions pulling at the list. The evening’s discussions showed Puig’s reliance on assembling a strong, disciplined team rather than allowing factional quotas to dictate candidates. Alejandro Soler’s leadership of his party, elected at the last state congress, signaled a turn away from past internal tensions that emerged during health-related debates. If Puig’s strategy succeeds, negotiations with Compromís and Podemos could shape the council’s balance. The public health leadership of the former minister adds credibility to his candidacy, given the empathy voters showed for those who faced the pandemic.
Barceló is presented as a potential mayor who must rise above party politics. He comes from outside Alicante’s original leadership while having deep ties to the city through long-term residence and public service. The challenge is to demonstrate that the city can be governed with a strong, inclusive coalition rather than by repeating old internal conflicts. Observers note that the best outcome would be a robust PP and PSOE collaboration capable of delivering stable municipal governance for Alicante, restoring trust, and moving the city forward. Whether Puig’s strong backing of Barceló translates into durable support remains to be seen, as the campaign unfolds and voters weigh the candidates’ visions for Alicante’s future.
A movement with political significance
The breakfast discussion, led by Consell vice president Aitana Mas, was organized by the Alicante Forum and sponsored by the University of Alicante, the CEV employers’ association, and Baleària. À Punt will cover a political event that carries weight beyond the city, not only because of the Compromís leader from Crevillent, who faced the challenge of replacing Mónica Oltra in regional government, but also due to attendance and participation levels. Consell chairman Ximo Puig publicly engaged in the event, joined by many PSOE officials. Agriculture Minister Mireia Mollà did not participate due to scheduling conflicts. The session title, Open the future with a new Botànic, signals a strong intent to advance regional elections. Puig’s support remains evident, though Compromís and the broader PSPV contingent debate over how closely to align with Puig and Mas moving forward, especially as discussions shift toward budget considerations and future policy directions.