Cruz de Germanias’ withdrawal will remain on hold until municipal elections
The scene in Elche shows a deliberate display. Aurora Rodilhe stands beneath the Fallen Cross on Paseo de Germanías, signaling a calculated political message rather than a casual appearance. The focal point of the debate is the removal of the Cruz de Germanías, a monument raised in 1944 to honor those who died during the Civil War. The governing parties, PSOE and Compromís, have signaled their intent to remove the monument, though the Socialists paused the move ahead of the upcoming municipal elections.
Controversy surrounds the decision to remove the monument in the El Pla neighborhood, a topic intensified by events preceding May 28 and the formal start of the pre-campaign period. Government partners defend the move, arguing it aligns with current policies on historical memory and addresses a symbol associated with the Franco era. Opponents persist, including Vox, which frames the cross as a Christian emblem worthy of preservation.
For the mayoral campaign, Vox Elche used the Cross of the Fallen as a photo to argue for its continued presence in the meantime. Information
The plan to remove Cruz de los Caídos advances in step with the Paseo de Germanías reform, aiming to reshape El Pla’s historic square. The proposal includes preserving a Civil War bunker as a museum piece, while removing what some describe as a symbol tied to a burdensome past. Vox and PP advocate keeping the monument in place, counter to the removal push.
Vox already has a slogan for municipalities on Elche
Vox’s candidate Aurora Rodil is identified as part of the Defense Platform for the Cross at Paseo de Germanías in Elche. The campaign emphasizes a focus on local service and a strong sense of community identity along with traditional values.
“Experts”
Regarding the candidate list, Aurora Rodil is described as a professional with deep ties to the municipality. Her work in recent years to support Elche is highlighted, with the aim of fostering development and practical improvements for residents. Rodil has served as a family physician in the area for more than twenty years and identifies as Catholic and pro-life. The slate centers on education, industry, family, health, safety, and rural concerns, with Vox stressing a diverse set of professional perspectives. The party leadership contends that Vox distinguishes itself by prioritizing public service for Elche.
Rodil tops the list that will participate in the municipal elections scheduled for May 28. The lineup includes Samuel Ruiz, Raúl Sempere, Pedro José Sáez, Ana María Romero, Juan Francisco Sánchez, Javier María Vallaure, and Pablo Montoya.
The campaign carries the slogan “Take care of yourself.”
“Honest and Serious List”
The Vox candidate for Elche’s mayor stressed the formation of a trustworthy, serious team composed of varied professional and technical profiles. The focus is on values, loyalty, and a commitment to serve the community. Samuel Ruiz, a businessman in second place, noted that Vox Elche has shown dedication to the common good, whether residents are on the edge of town or in the urban center. He added that Vox prioritizes service to others and the city of Elche over factional goals.
Ruiz also pointed out that Vox’s stance differs from others because the team works to benefit all residents in every neighborhood and across the city.
Bicephaly
Rodil entered politics in 2019 as part of a two-member leadership, alongside Amparo Cerdá and another co-leader. In March, internal tensions surfaced within the party as disputes emerged between factions, and public criticism was muted. Cerdá resigned, and the position briefly passed to Juan Antonio Alberdi, who died several months later. The party faced ongoing internal strains with leadership changes not always visible in public meetings or press conferences.