As political parties map out their priorities for the forthcoming legislature, a central question for observers is whether the PSOE can rebuild a stable coalition with Sumar and regionalist groups. Business leaders in Alicante have been vocal about their top priorities, with infrastructure taking a prominent place on the agenda. For decades, residents have watched investment lag behind the needs of a growing population, making renewed commitment to transport and regional development a pressing concern.
For some time, a meeting organized by the CEV with Pilar Bernabé, the Government delegate in the Valencian Community, has brought attention to a concrete set of demands. A key call is the expansion of El Altet airport. This project matters not only for Alicante and Elche but also for nearby towns and the Costa Blanca tourism belt, including Benidorm, connected through the Torrellano corridor and associated rail links that would improve regional mobility and economic activity.
The stance was reinforced by Salvador Navarro, president of the regional employers’ association, who pointed to the latest General State Budgets that show Alicante receiving a relatively low level of investment per resident, ranking 52nd among regions. He warned that the province cannot remain among the least contributors to the state and emphasized that such a position creates a disadvantage relative to other parts of Spain. Navarro underscored that Alicante airport stands out as a crucial asset for the Valencian Community and for the wider Spanish economy, urging its expansion and the establishment of reliable rail connections between Alicante and Elche, with ongoing continuity to Benidorm.
Beyond transport, Navarro called for greater public investment in energy, water, and irrigation efficiency, along with other measures needed to raise Alicante’s competitiveness in a modern economy. The vision includes not only expanding capacity but also ensuring sustainable management of resources and resilience against climate-related pressures that affect agriculture, industry, and tourism alike.
Commitments
Pilar Bernabé arrived at the meeting with a prepared argument and disclosed a broader strategy. The central government has planned or underway projects valued at around 2 billion euros for the next legislature, distributed across several sectors: roughly 900 million for rail infrastructure, about 200 million for roads, and 600 million dedicated to water-related actions, among other measures designed to support growth.
On the rail front, Bernabé recalled a project to expand Iberian gauge along the Xàtiva to La Encina corridor, supported by a 500 million euro investment. This expansion is viewed as essential for completing the Mediterranean corridor and enabling high-speed interconnections among the three provincial capitals of the Valencian Community. Regarding the Torrellano rail version, she confirmed that a concrete project draft is already in development to make the proposal feasible and to ensure a coherent link with nearby urban centers and tourism hubs.
In broader terms, the Consell has signaled a cautious stance on investments in Alicante, explaining that recent measures have limited growth in the province. Debt levels and enforcement challenges are cited as constraints on action. Bernabé stressed that most of the planned works are already under way, with funding aligned to New Generation programs and expected to be completed by 2026. The Government delegate also indicated that upcoming Generalitat budgets would reflect reductions in provincial investments, articulating a clear concern about the long-term implications for Alicante’s development and the need for sustained support that aligns with regional priorities.