The PSOE seeks to present a stronger front in Sant Joan d’Alacant city hall. The Socialists announced their move after a July gathering of their leadership, coming a day after it emerged that the People’s Party and Ciudadanos were discussing a joint slate for next year’s local elections, while the current dual-party arrangement showed signs of strain. They chose to stay on the government team formed with the Liberals in yesterday’s afternoon session. From the PSOE ranks, it was asserted, in line with President Ximo Puig’s remarks during his Alicante visit, that the mayor at the time, Santiago Román, had several options at the top of the mainstream list, and that Román is the principal figure who jeopardized the agreement, potentially becoming the first mayor to resign or return the Mayor’s Office to the party. [Source: local press]
Release
The Socialists stated in a formal release. The PP seems intent on exploiting Cs’ poor election outlook, a strategy they have employed for eight years and are not shy about describing as the decline of the party. “The Socialist councilors will not resign, the Socialist Party will not disrupt or abandon the government it legitimately won at the ballot box. If Cs, in that scenario, Marcos Piña, José Luis Olcina, Santiago Román and Julia Parra seek to break the accord, resign their posts and aim to assemble a new majority with the far-right of PP and Vox, let them do so without betraying the will of their neighbors or endangering the city council’s stability. The socialist government team will keep working, as it always does, for citizens with political responsibility.”
C’s descent to PP gains strength: Sant Joan mayor leaves door open for abbreviations to be changed
In step with the socialist stance, the PPs and Cs push ahead with their plans to craft the list they will present at the General Assembly for the elections in the municipality of l’Alacantí. The move in Sant Joan received strong applause from the party base, a point underscored by comments from the regional president yesterday, Carlos Mazon. The same scenario repeated itself in nearby San Vicente del Raspeig, signaling a broader political shift involving Román, who had previously been part of the PP before his Cs stint. Pachi Pascual.
Crisis in Sant Joan
The Mayor Román, affiliated with Cs, chose to remain silent yesterday. The situation was described as a matter handled with care by Ximo Puig. As reported, the head of the Consell highlighted the need to honor the agreements and accused the PP of following the same pattern seen more than two decades ago.
Solidador Secretary of State for PSOE, Alejandro Soler, maintained the government agreement through the term and noted that Román “kept his promise.” He also criticized the “bad arts” of Mazón’s PP. “It looks as if he lacks a bench and must turn to Cs to fill nominations. If they don’t have skilled militants, they will recruit them without relying on Cs,” he added.