For a lifetime, José Luis Seguí of Almudaina and Jaume Pascual of l’Alqueria d’Asnar have dedicated themselves to their towns. They stand as the most senior mayors in the Valencian Community and, more broadly, in the Province of Alicante. Yet their paths carry nuances. The first, affiliated with the PP, is also the longest-serving public servant in Spain with more than five decades of experience. The second, from the PSOE, has steered his council for 44 years, a span that mirrors the cadence of Spain’s democratic era. Now both have decided it is time to step back, to leave room for new leadership. Their legacies include a mix of triumphs, anecdotes, and challenges, but always with a shared aim: to work hard for the well-being of their neighbors.
“I’m proud of everything I’ve done and I’m leaving with the satisfaction of having fulfilled my duty.” This is how 82-year-old José Luis Seguí speaks about his long tenure. He recalls that on February 13, 1972, during Franco’s era, he became mayor, almost by circumstance. “The Falange Council at the time chose me as a replacement, since I was known in the town as the head of the Agrarian Brotherhood,” he explains. It was not obvious to him, but after an initial hesitation he accepted, insisting that it was the path laid out by the town’s leadership at the moment. “It was them back then,” he emphasizes.
Thus began a steady leadership, with Seguí maintaining a firm grip on his team over the years. Initially imposed, the role evolved with democracy, becoming a decision he embraced as the trust of Almudaina’s residents grew. He secured victories across successive elections, often aligning with parties that followed the extinguished UCD and later the Alianza Popular, and most recently with the PP.
The first major project under his administration was the construction of the road network. It was a pressing need when tractors began appearing and terrain on the terraces hindered mobility. Improving connectivity transformed daily life in the municipality.
The evolution continued with water supply improvements at a time when trucks were supplementing irrigation and services. Soon after, a new road linked Almudaina to Alfaquí, lifting the town from isolation. In parallel, the town hall was built, and the rehabilitation of the municipality’s Islamic tower—now a museum—emerged as a magnet for visitors, turning historical architecture into a cornerstone of local tourism.
The challenges under Seguí’s watch included the persistent issue of depopulation. The town once housed around 300 residents and now has just over a hundred. He acknowledges that rural areas face this trend due to service cuts and the trend of families seeking education and opportunities elsewhere. The sense of community remains strong, but demographic decline corridors echo through the years.
Seguí has decided to retire, stepping aside after a PP nomination led by Pau Navarro, a team that includes his 20-year-old grandson Adrián Seguí. He leaves a development package worth 400,000 euros poised for execution, a stark contrast to the 17,000 pesetas he once found and the bills paid by a plumber. He jests about the past, suggesting the contrast highlights how life has changed over the decades.
Jaume Pascual’s journey began under the influence of elder statesmen who shaped his view of politics. He recalls l’Alqueria being known as Little Russia due to a strong leftist presence. At his family home, winter nights were spent by the fire listening to discussions about freedom, equality, democracy, and socialism—a word he has carried since childhood. Under those ideals, he stood for the first democratic elections, becoming Spain’s youngest mayor at age 23. Yet the early days were brutal. He recalls two severe cold spells, a paper mill closure, and the infamous 23-F crisis as formative moments that tested his resolve.
The social and economic turmoil of that era included the hardships faced by workers in local industry. The closure of Papeleras Reunidas led to massive layoffs, a social crisis that, with the help of industrialists, unionists, and regional leadership, found a way to rebound. The collaboration among business leaders and government helped stabilize the town’s economy and restore hope for workers who faced unemployment.
As the years passed, municipal projects flourished. Basic services—drinking water, sewer systems—and enhancements like improved street lighting, underground waste containers, a heated pool, and a dedicated music school marked steady progress. Pascual’s tenure is marked by a belief in practical improvements that directly benefited residents and made daily life more comfortable and connected.
With a long record behind him, Pascual decided it was time to step back as well. He reflects on his tenure with a sense of accomplishment, noting that he has helped seed a capable socialist candidacy capable of continuing the work. The board will be led by Andreu Ripoll, a 38-year-old who has gained relevant experience as deputy mayor. A final priority remains the construction of a new school, for which funding of two million euros was secured, though the procedural path remains challenging. He hopes to see the works tendered before the next election cycle.
Both José Luis Seguí and Jaume Pascual express a refreshingly pragmatic view of politics. The current Almudaina mayor condemns needless tensions, referencing a recent no-confidence motion as a misstep. The l’Alqueria d’Asnar mayor, who has also served as a provincial deputy, speaks of democracy and the need to address humanitarian concerns beyond local borders, including supporting a refugee family and the broader aim of peace in Europe. Their shared sentiment is that serving their people remains the central purpose of public life, even as they prepare to pass the baton.
The mayors of Almudaina and l’Alqueria will be the province’s favorite sons
The Provincial Council honors José Luis Seguí and Jaume Pascual as favorite sons, recognizing their lasting contributions as they retire from office. These acknowledgments come as the area’s top officials and mayors gather for events across the region, celebrating the trust placed in them by residents. Beyond ongoing projects, the most cherished value is the heartfelt appreciation of their fellow citizens, a legacy that outshines any single achievement.