The topic was in the headlines at the time and remains relevant as councils in the province established their governance models. Across several municipalities, unconventional agreements persist and are cited as evidence of resilience and sound policy, even as critics from opposition groups label them as reactionary or self-serving.
Among the arrangements that drew particular attention was a pact formalized in Calpe, a city whose size amplified its impact. Ana Sala, who had previously led the PP in the last term, saw her party replace her as candidate with César Sánchez, the town’s former mayor and current president of the Provincial Council. This move pushed Sala to form a new group, Somos Calpe, and she entered the elections, finishing second behind her former colleagues. With prior precedent and ongoing negotiations, the council presidency was renewed with support from the PSOE and Compromís, leaving the Popular Party in opposition.
Four months into the new term, Sala expressed satisfaction with the government’s work and noted progress on drafting the budget. She emphasized that ideology did not block collaboration and described the municipal administration as functional. When the PP filed a motion on amnesty, council members voted according to their own judgments. Sala described cordial ties with new council members, while acknowledging cooler relations with members from the previous government.
Opposition leader César Sánchez remarked that the relationship, while respectful and cooperative, would depend on whether the various government groups could align on budget priorities. The question looms over future budgets and cooperation across parties.
Benejúzar stands out as another municipality where extraordinary moves shaped the political landscape. The City Council’s composition followed traditional patterns, with Vicente Cases of the PP elected mayor. The unusual development began when the first mayor invited Miguel López, a PSOE candidate and former provincial MP who had served as the party’s regional organizational secretary, to join the board of directors with a special committee assignment. The PP mayor who supported the shift defended the decision as a means to engage diverse voices and build consensus, noting similar patterns in other towns.
Meanwhile, López explained that joining the board came after a separate agreement with another party fell through. The outcome, he said, reflected a practical approach to governance based on evaluating work on the ground. Rosa García, a former PP mayor associated with the PSOE, has remarked that there is a perception of a secret accommodation between the PP and PSOE.
PP of L’Alqueria d’Asnar appoints César Palmer as mayor of Compromís
The dynamic began in L’Alqueria d’Asnar, where César Palmer of Compromís gained control with PP support. This marked a historic shift, as the Socialist party had historically governed alongside Jaume Pascual since the start of democracy. Palmer said he did not participate in the first election, and after four months, Valencia’s first mayor stated that ideological differences mattered less in a town setting and that he felt more at ease with the PP than when he was a councilor for the PSOE. He highlighted projects beyond cultural festivities, such as solar street lighting and updates to infrastructure.
Socialist spokesperson Andreu Palmer pushed back, arguing that important public projects, like the school and parking facilities, were neglected in favor of party lines. He described daily life at City Hall as chaotic and stressed that governance should prioritize visible public benefits.
On the other hand
Similar dynamics appeared in Polop, where Compromís supported popular figure José Luis Susmozas to become mayor. Valencians’ spokesperson Ángela Fuster recalled that although a deal with Compromís was possible, trust in the socialists eroded and led to an alliance with Alternativa, a party that had split from the PP. Despite talks of possible expulsions, she indicated the decision was reached democratically within the local group. Beyond acronyms, she asserted, local governance operates with strong communication, and the mayor agreed that about 80 percent of the programs from both sides overlapped and would be advanced jointly.
Another notable case involved Daya Nueva, where socialist Pablo Girona led with the support of the PP though he faced one fewer councilor than desired. Girona noted that, in a small town, party acronyms mattered less and did not indicate any investigations against him. He attributed the situation to the pragmatic reality of governing. Inma Vicente, Ciudadanos spokesperson, expressed dissatisfaction that her party won the elections but was denied the mayoralty, adding that the current administration had focused on ongoing projects and kept information limited.
All these municipal episodes point to a broader pattern of cross-party collaboration in the region. The aim appears to be steady governance through negotiated alliances that prioritize local needs and sustained public programs over strict partisan control. The landscape in San Miguel de Salinas also reflects this trend, where Vox did not participate in the socialist-led government’s plenary sessions but supported its budgeting from a distance.