In a heated municipal debate, the focus moved from street cleaning to broader community needs in San Vicente del Raspeig
During a wide-ranging discussion televised on INFORMACIÓN and Information TV, candidates from six parties analyzed the key issues facing the municipality. As the May 28 vote approaches, residents are weighing whether the left-leaning bloc can extend its governance or if the PP will regain influence lost in 2015. Observers noted potential support from Vox and Cs, but no single party seemed ready to seal all alliances in advance of election night.
The debate brought together the current mayor, Jesus Villar, seeking a third term representing the PSOE, alongside Alberto Beviá, who leads the Podemos-aligned slate in a coalition with Podemos. Others on the stage included Pachi Pascual for the PP, returning to the popular ranks after four years with Cs; Jordi Roig representing Ciutadans; Adrian Garcia for Vox; and Maribel Morera, opening a Compromís slate. The format allowed each candidate to outline vision and policy priorities for the city’s next administration.
“We have laid the foundations for an amazing transformation that we will see in the next legislature”
Jesus Villar of the PSOE spoke about the city’s evolution from a suburban town into a scholarly and service-oriented hub with growing industrial activity. San Vicente del Raspeig has advanced into a university and service center, yet it still faces pressing needs such as improved street cleaning and regular garbage collection, a service contracted since 2020 that has not kept pace with population growth.
Villar acknowledged concerns about cleanliness and noted that foreign residents sometimes perceive cleanliness differently, while Vox urged closer engagement with residents to understand those concerns. He also noted that some proposed cleanliness improvements could be overly complex or impractical to implement within budgetary constraints.
“Villar leaves a municipality worse than eight years ago in terms of cleanliness, security and services”
Pachi Pascual of the PP argued that the administration should highlight the city’s improvements, recalling the transfer of seven plots for social housing and the growth of the municipal housing stock for emergencies. Pascual pointed to 31 million euros earmarked for various projects slated to begin between 2023 and 2024 and questioned whether the funds were reachable, a claim Beviá echoed in support of the need for timely execution. He criticized the current administration for delays and asserted that eight years should have produced tangible results.
Villar highlighted ongoing plans for pedestrian zones in the center, a senior center, a music venue for rehearsal space, and the creation of a sports city adjacent to the Velodrome as part of a broader urban renewal strategy.
“We offer to purchase rustic land on the outskirts of the municipality to convert it into a sports facility”
Jordi Roig of Cs argued for removing architectural barriers and accelerating pedestrianization while stressing the urgent need for new sports infrastructure. He proposed rethinking the Southern Sports Complex, expanding to an expansive sports city, and purchasing rural land on the city’s edge to develop additional facilities. Roig also floated a circular, high-frequency bus line to link sports venues with urban amenities and suggested free education and meals for children from birth to age two.
accident plan
Pascual pressed for a robust cleanliness drive, criticizing Villar for what he called a deteriorating municipal condition in cleanliness, safety, and services. He vowed to initiate a rapid cleanup plan upon taking office and asked whether extraordinary services would be employed if necessary. Pascual also decried perceived shortfalls in social services, noting the need to integrate more staff through public contracts and urging accelerated action on projects promised by the Generalitat for the near future. He pledged to deliver more investment in sports and cultural infrastructure.
“We will create a Municipal Housing Office to advise citizens”
Alberto Beviá of AB-We Can outlined Vox’s priorities to improve safety and cleanliness, support urban renewal, replace waste containers, and empower municipal crews with appropriate equipment. He stressed better engagement with residents over social centers and elderly facilities, including municipal pools. Beviá also endorsed examining the feasibility of municipalizing parts of the cleaning service to maintain a consistently clean city and called for a revised urban master plan to separate residential and industrial zones for better coexistence. He advocated a backlog reduction, a Sustainable Mobility Plan, and a more inclusive San Vicente.
“Our proposals are entirely municipal and we will agree with whoever wants to do it”
Adrian Garcia of Vox outlined five priorities: fostering a true link with UA to boost economy, employment, and culture; expanding available industrial land; protecting ecological assets like the Sabinar Valley; and expanding sports, social, and educational infrastructure. He spoke of attracting R&D and cultural initiatives while proposing the creation of a Municipal Housing Office to guide residents through options. He also touched on municipal-level collaboration to improve living standards with a focus on practical outcomes.
Work
The PSOE and EU pressed for prudent economic management, noting a recovery from pandemic-related downturns and external pressures as employment rose and businesses reestablished themselves in recent years. The PP criticized what it described as four million euros in missed opportunities and argued that industrial expansion had stagnated for eight years. The debate touched on how economic policy would shape development decisions in the next term.
taxes
Tax policy emerged as a key battleground, with the PP and Vox advocating tax reductions, while Cs argued for more measured approaches. The left defended keeping taxes stable, with a pledge not to increase them. On future alliance-building, the left expressed openness to governance at the municipal level, Compromís committing not to enable a right-wing government or support from the far-right by action or omission. The EU described its stance as ideologically distinct from the right but did not close the door to practical cooperation when aligned interests appeared.
“We will never facilitate a right-wing municipal government through action or neglect”
Maribel Morera of Devotion stated that proposals would remain strictly municipal and that collaboration would be possible with any party willing to advance those goals. Vox emphasized a pragmatic approach to partnerships, while the PP sought a comfortable majority without vetoes and Cs signaled flexibility with no red lines. The debate also touched on controversial national matters, including the presence of ETA prisoners on party lists and concerns about broader political alignments influencing municipal decisions.