The Alicante PP Responds to PSPV-PSOE Moves on Provincial Autonomy and Court Rulings
In a Tuesday briefing, Ana Serna, the general secretary of the Alicante branch of the Popular Party, criticized the PSPV-PSOE for what she described as a pattern of interruptions to the Diputación de Alicante. She argued that these actions disrespect the autonomy of the provincial institution and undermine judicial decisions that safeguard its independence. Serna emphasized that the province should be governed by its own elected bodies and not by pressure aimed at altering the provincial framework.
According to Serna, the core issue lies in the attempt to centralize control over the Alicante Provincial Assembly. She asserted that those backing this shift are effectively bypassing the assembly’s autonomy and pushing to steer decisions without broad majorities, all under the banner of party discipline. The comment reflects a belief that the PSPV-PSOE is seeking to direct provincial matters despite the absence of a clear, democratically supported majority in the assembly.
Serna drew attention to a judicial safeguard issued by the Supreme Court of Justice of the Valencian Community, which secures the province’s independence from external interference by the Generalitat Valenciana. She noted that, in her view, socialists should honor judicial rulings instead of trying to shape how the provincial body operates. The implication is that court decisions exist to maintain proper governance, not to be overridden by partisan agendas.
The Alicante leader also criticized what she called a disregard for court orders that pause the Provincial Assembly’s obligation to participate in the Consell Fund and other regulatory frameworks governing provincial operations. She argued that the PSOE imposes its own rules on institutions that do not fall under its direct governance, explaining that there are efforts to define what is needed while not heeding judicial outcomes. Her stance is that legality and procedural norms must guide provincial administration, not unilateral political dictates.
Serna reminded audiences that the Supreme Court decision helped prevent smaller municipalities in Alicante from losing essential funding. She highlighted that the Close Plan City Council Fund has a projected allocation of 40 million euros for the upcoming year, while the Generalitat Fund offers only 13.5 million euros to these municipalities. This funding gap, she suggested, underscores the importance of respecting established financing mechanisms and the role of judicial decisions in protecting local fiscal interests.
Observers note that the dispute centers on how provincial governance should balance autonomy with regional oversight, particularly when courts intervene to preserve constitutional and legal processes. The Alicante PP positions itself as a defender of local autonomy and a proponent of governance by the province’s own elected institutions, aligned with judicial decisions that safeguard that autonomy. In contrast, the PSPV-PSOE supporters argue for a more centralized approach, contending that provincial governance requires coordinated strategies with the regional government. The public debate continues to hinge on questions of funding, governance, and the proper interpretation of court rulings in the context of provincial administration, with the goal of ensuring transparent and accountable management of public resources for Alicante’s municipalities. Source notes from the Valencian judicial system and regional government tribunals are used to inform the discussion, and analysts observe that any lasting resolution will require adherence to judicial decisions and a respect for the provincial assembly’s constitutional role.