Two cities, two local branches of the PSPV-PSOE, and two distinct approaches to shaping the candidate lists for the upcoming assemblies. In Alicante, the city council race on May 28 carries a sizable field, with roughly twice as many contenders vying for the 29 municipal seats. Elche, by contrast, appears more tightly managed under the supervision of Alejandro Soler, the Socialists’ provincial secretary, who again assumes leadership within his group. The moment of truth arrives this Saturday, when all the uncertainties in Elche will be resolved. A full day of voting awaits in Alicante, as a thousand militants prepare to cast their ballots the following day.
The window for submitting candidates who let the clock run out on a long day outside the regional capital’s UGT headquarters closed at 11:59 PM the previous night. The window spanned from 10:00 to 20:00, and the nominations included the majority of the PSPV Executive. The slate comprises about fifty individuals, including current city councilors and other militants who stepped forward to join the race.
Already, roughly sixty names appear among the executive and councilors, meaning the pool for the vote will be enlarged to include 29 candidates plus three substitutes, mirroring the number of Alicante’s city councilors. Those who will not be part of the voting are the independents championed by actress Ana Barceló who intend to participate in the final tally. Over the past weeks, the mayor has made it clear he will have the final say in shaping the list, a stance that has stirred debate within much of the Alicante group and especially among allies close to the former senator. Ángel Franco believed he should lead the process rather than merely demonstrate his ability to command, signaling the plan he intends to reveal for Alicante.
Nevertheless, Barceló emphasizes that she will listen to the militancy through the participatory process currently underway within the Socialists. She notes that the list should be crafted to meet the city’s needs so no opportunities are missed. In this light, PSPV is described as a party with ample internal and external potential. This message signals openness to including activists from civil society who want to engage in politics, even though these independents are not expected to run for Parliament.
In Elche, both of the current PSOE councilors will not appear on the candidate list alongside Carlos González in the municipal elections on May 28. Cultural Councilor Marga Antón and Seniors Councilor Puri Vives will not be included, Soler personally conveyed. Less than two hours before Saturday’s meeting, where militants will propose a rank in a slate that will be finalized minutes before ballots are opened at General Cosidó’s headquarters, the list is set to feature Miguel Serna, the mayor’s advisor, and Ana Arabid, the mayor of Town Planning, as fellow socialists aligned with Mayor Carlos González.
Those named to the candidature will also form part of the ticket, and, according to socialist sources, the Elche PSPV leadership aims to place four other current executives into starting roles. These include Gema Fos, a music teacher and Juventudes Socialistas advisor; Saray Hüertaş, a professional dancer and education consultant; Iván Gómez, a lawyer and member of the Bar Association board; and Rosana García, an official in the municipal Urban Planning Department.
This time Soler refrained from presenting multiple slates as in past elections and will only oversee the vote on the proposed list of 26 executive candidates. He will be the sole participant in the election, alongside a spontaneous militant, who will present themselves. In any case, the Saturday consultation is not expected to be as binding as in previous cycles, with the final order likely to be determined by a subsequent executive meeting set for Monday, when the organization plans to finalize the ranking of the socialist candidacy.