For a lifetime. José Luis Seguí of Almudaina and Jaume Pascual of l’Alqueria d’Asnar have dedicated decades to their towns. They are the oldest mayors in the Valencian Community and in the Province of Alicante, yet the story holds nuances. The first, a member of the PP, is the longest-serving official in Spain with at least 51 years in office; the second, from the PSOE, has led his council for 44 years, matching the duration since the earliest democratic elections. Recently, both decided this year to step back and skip the upcoming municipal elections. They leave behind a legacy of achievements, anecdotes, and occasional challenges, all aimed at the simple, shared goal of serving their neighbors well.
“I’m proud of everything I’ve done and I’m leaving with the sense of having fulfilled my duty.” This is how 82-year-old José Luis Seguí speaks about his career. It is worth recalling that on February 13, 1972, during the final years of Franco’s regime, he became mayor, seemingly by circumstance. “The Falange Council of the time chose to replace the mayor and saw me as a suitable successor, given my leadership of the Agrarian Brotherhood in the town”, he explains. He admits he did not see it coming, but once the choice was made, he embraced the role. “It was them back then”, he adds with a nod to the past.
He held fast to his mandate, never letting go. At first, the appointment felt imposed, yet as democracy matured, Seguí chose to persevere, earning the trust of Almudaina’s residents. In every election, the town supported him, aligning with historical shifts from the UCD to Alianza Popular, and more recently with the PP.
The first major project after acquiring leadership was the expansion of the road network. The timing was critical, as the countryside saw the emergence of tractors and rough terrain made movement across terraces difficult. The groundwork laid then became essential for future growth.
Subsequent efforts focused on securing a reliable water supply when distribution relied on trucks, and later the new road that linked Almudaina to Alfaquí reduced the town’s isolation. The construction of a new town hall and the rehabilitation of the town’s Islamic tower, now a museum and a major tourist draw, also marked the era.
In the long arc of his leadership, Seguí faced the challenge of population decline. The town’s population fell from about 300 residents to just over a hundred, a trend common in rural areas affected by service cuts and out-migration in search of education and opportunity. “This is a pattern across rural areas, where funds for services push families to seek a different life elsewhere”, he notes.
Seguí now retires, stepping aside after a PP nomination led by a younger generation, including a 20-year-old grandson. He leaves behind a set of projects valued at around 400,000 euros that are on the cusp of implementation. He reflects with humor on his early years, recalling a time when he found himself paying bills with much less in the treasury than today and facing the plumber who collected losses from overdue accounts.
Jaume Pascual, in contrast, has taken from a different path a life steeped in political conviction. As a youth in l’Alqueria, he absorbed lessons from elders who spoke of freedom, equality, democracy, and socialism. Those ideas shaped his decision to run in the first democratic elections, becoming Spain’s youngest mayor at age 23. His initial term was tough, marked by two record cold drops and the closure of a major paper mill, all while navigating a period when new industries rose and jobs vanished in a blink.
He remembers how industrialists, trade unionists, and government support helped steer the town through that social and economic crisis. The revival culminated in improvements to basic services such as water supply and sewerage, plus enhancements like street lighting replacements, underground waste containers, a heated pool, and a music school that broadened opportunities for residents.
With a long record of public service, Pascual eventually concluded it was time to step back as well. He expresses a sense of satisfaction at having sown good seeds for a socialist candidacy that could carry on beyond his term. A new board, led by Andreu Ripoll, a 38-year-old deputy mayor, would take the reins, bringing prior experience and a fresh approach to leadership.
The remaining major task for Pascual is securing funding for a new school. Two million euros were obtained for the project, though the approval process proved lengthy. He hopes to see the work tendered before the next elections. He also stresses that his commitment to his people was never swayed by political theatrics. He criticizes a current no-confidence motion as unproductive and insists that the town deserves constructive dialogue.
Both Seguí and Pascual reject the idea that politics must be conducted in a hostile or theatrical manner. The two men, who shaped their municipalities over decades, view their careers through a lens of service, resilience, and a constant focus on residents. The present mayors in Almudaina and l’Alqueria d’Asnar continue to carry forward a legacy built on tangible improvements and community trust.
The mayors of Almudaina and l’Alqueria will be the province’s favorite sons
Recognition by the Provincial Council as favorite sons has marked the close of long careers. José Luis Seguí and Jaume Pascual retire after decades of public service and are honored by the Alicante Provincial Assembly for their contributions to the region. Beyond ceremonial praise, their work across their respective municipalities has left a lasting impression on residents who witnessed steady progress and steady leadership. In addition to ongoing local projects, both leaders place highest value on the appreciation of their neighbors who trusted them across years.