In Alicante, a notable political moment unfolds as Vicente Barrera, the first vice president of the Valencian regional government and a member of Vox, makes his debut in the city on a Tuesday. He does not come to discuss his official duties; instead, his visit centers on engaging with residents in the northern sector of the capital. He is accompanied by Elisa Núñez, the councilor for Justice and the Interior. The party outlined its agenda for the meeting in a press brief, clearly signaling topics that Vox intends to foreground during the encounter: illegal immigration, public safety, crime, and housing taken by force. The message is straightforward: Vox aims to articulate a stance that could resonate with potential voters in the region.
Barrera and Núñez will meet with representatives from Alicante’s District 2 Governing Board to discuss alleged security concerns in the community. Participating in the session will be Francisco Camacho, the district board president, Celia Campelo, the chair of the Juan XXIII neighborhood association, and leaders from twelve additional neighborhood associations within District 2. Vox’s regional representatives will address the security issues affecting the Colonia Requena and Juan XXIII neighborhoods, as outlined in the invitation. Following the meeting, attendees will tour the Juan XXIII neighborhood to observe conditions firsthand.
During the walking tour, local voices will be invited to speak, enabling residents to share their perspectives directly with Barrera, Núñez, and the Vox delegation. A sizable contingent from the regional administration is expected to accompany them, including three regional secretaries aligned with Vox. The attendants will include Eduardo Ruiz, the Secretary for Justice; Javier Bazán, responsible for Victims’ Services and Access to Justice; and Javier Montero, overseeing Security and Emergencies. Four city councilors from Vox in Alicante—Carmen Robledillo, Mario Ortolá, Óscar Castillo, and Juan Utrera—will be present, along with Ana Vega, a former spokesperson for Vox in the Valencian Parliament who now serves as the group’s deputy spokesperson in the regional assembly.
Colectivo LGTBI
No extensive media appearances have characterized Barrera’s tenure as vice president. Earlier in the month, he publicly cautioned against extending support to a tourism campaign in the Valencian government’s framework that promoted LGTBI rights, arguing that such a move would align the government with left-leaning ideological frames. The tourism campaign, launched during the state photo event at the national fair and promoted by the regional president Carlos Mazón and the second vice president Susana Camarero, was not endorsed by Barrera. He stressed that Vox would not participate in that messaging while serving in the regional executive.
The decision to discuss issues like housing insecurity and neighborhood safety in Alicante follows Vox’s role in pressuring municipal leadership, including the mayor, Luis Barcala, to concede to the creation of an anti-occupancy office as part of the city’s budget. The city’s deputy mayor has indicated that the measures advocated by Vox—such as another office to assist pregnant women facing economic or social hardship—could complement the city’s fiscal plan as proposed by the Partido Popular.
Observers note that both the Popular Party and Vox have recently clashed over topics such as security and the problem of illegal occupancy. In response to the growing concern, the PP has proposed a Senate bill targeting illegal occupancy, including provisions for 24-hour eviction procedures, restrictions on registering occupants in occupied homes, and expedited judicial processes. This political dynamic underscores Vox’s effort to expand its foothold in regional elections by centering security and housing on the public agenda.
Colectivo LGTBI
The presence of Barrera in Alicante to address safety concerns comes amid a broader landscape of political maneuvering around social campaigns and minority groups. Vox has repeatedly positioned itself as a counterweight to measures perceived as aligned with left-leaning political and cultural agendas. The party’s stance on social campaigns and minority issues continues to shape its public messaging in the Valencian Community, especially in the context of ongoing debates about immigration, safety, and civil order.
Overall, the Alicante visit reflects Vox’s strategy of blending on-the-ground constituency outreach with a high-level policy posture. The combination of district-level discussions, senior regional officials, and active councilors signals an intent to demonstrate tangible engagement with local concerns while reinforcing a broader platform. As the visit unfolds, observers will watch how the narratives around safety, occupancy, and community well-being align with Vox’s electoral objectives in the Valencia region and beyond.
Notes from the field credit Vox with positioning its regional leadership to pursue a localized, issue-focused approach, aiming to translate street-level concerns into votes without compromising the party’s overarching stance on immigration and security. The dynamic in Alicante exemplifies how regional parties navigate municipal realities while seeking to expand their political influence across the broader Valencian political landscape. Attribution: Vox leadership communications and regional assembly briefings discussed in public records and party press materials for the period surrounding the visit.