Unified Stance on Alicante’s AI Headquarters Bid Emerges at the Diputación Plenary
A striking moment unfolded as the four groups and neighboring institutions set aside political differences to back Alicante’s bid to host Spain’s Artificial Intelligence Supervisory Agency. At the October plenary session in the provincial chamber, the government coalition of the People’s Party and Citizens joined with the PSPV-PSOE and Compromís to approve a resolution endorsing Alicante as the AI oversight hub. The document—from all four spokesmen—extends a hand toward collaboration and emphasizes a shared belief that the city’s technical talent, business ecosystem, and research capacity align with the needs of a national AI governance body.
The agreement highlights work already underway by the Special Provincial Administration through the Department of Innovation and Universities, led by Josefina Bueno. The collective gesture signals a common direction for a cause deemed highly beneficial to the region, inviting unity over individual party lines for the sake of a strategic opportunity for Alicante.
Fiscal Policy Debated at the Diputación de Alicante Plenary
The pledge of cross-party support stands in contrast to years of disagreements between the Provincial Assembly and regional government, including disputes over the Cooperation Fund. Those tensions are underscored by the political race between Carlos Mazón and Ximo Puig as both aim to lead their respective institutions after forthcoming elections. As polls tighten and appointments loom, frictions between leaders and their teams are likely to intensify.
Election Calculations
Apart from electoral strategies, the Diputación chose to set aside differences and reaffirm backing for Alicante’s AI headquarters bid. The joint institutional statement was presented by the Socialist group’s spokesperson, Toni Frances, and was unanimously adopted with all plenary members silent in agreement. Gerard Fullana, spokesperson for Compromís, withdrew his proposal related to the artificial intelligence field. Frances noted that Alicante is an ideal location because of its robust business and research landscape and its readiness to cultivate and attract technical talent.
Beyond highlighting Alicante’s economic and research ecosystems, the joint declaration points to additional factors that make the city an ideal site for a national AI institution. These include regional structuring and the localization of public sector headquarters. Before this unified text, President Mazón had convened key representatives from the university and business sectors in mid-September to present a united front for Alicante’s candidacy.
Removing the provincial surcharge from the Economic Activity Tax (IAE) shifts the fiscal policy focus at the Provincial Palace. In a period of economic strain, tax debates have dominated political talk at both the national and regional levels. The government’s latest measure, announced during the broader policy debate, involves reform to the IAE. The plenary session of the Diputación de Alicante debated this change on Wednesday, with the vote backing the tax cut and opposition members voting against. The reform will take effect next January and aims to support the local business community amid the crisis.
During the discussion on the IAE abolition, President Mazón defended a steady line of tax reductions associated with the People’s Party, while critics argued that some factions say one thing and demand higher payments the next. Mazón praised the decision to channel provincial resources toward easing energy costs or directing funds to social services and consumer support programs.
Socialist spokesperson Toni Frances defended the reform, stating that fiscal policy should empower governments with the capacity to respond to crises such as health emergencies, energy shocks, and rising prices. Frances argued that the PP’s approach frequently favors inequality rather than addressing it. After the plenary, Compromís spokesperson Gerard Fullana criticized the tax cut as benefiting only a small portion of taxpayers and potentially reducing resources available to Alicante municipalities through Diputación. He alleged that the move reflected a broader political campaign by the PP.