In Alicante, tensions rose over a spectrum of issues including regional autonomy, Catalanisms and negationism of climate change, alongside a defense of traditional gender norms and the presumption of innocence for men. These topics formed the core of Vox’s rally in the United States district context this Friday. The gathering took place at the Gaston Castello Social Center in Virgen del Remedio, where more than a hundred attendees listened as the party’s general secretary Ignacio Garriga took the stage, framing the event around national pride, a removal of symbols, and an appeal to mobilize voters.
More than 100 people gathered at the Gaston Castello Social Center in Virgen del Remedio to hear Ignacio Garriga, the general secretary of the far-right Vox, address the crowd with calls to rally around flags and patriotism as central themes, urging supporters to mobilize.
Ana Vega: “We are not crutches or broomsticks. The era of supporting for nothing is over”
Specific regional echoes punctuated the speech: Garriga accused critics of labeling the region as empty and sometimes wrong, repeating the phrase “Valencian Community” up to four times. His pronunciation drew attention from the audience, who are staunch supporters of using Spanish as the sole language in public spaces. The remark was met with cautious commentary from the crowd, who argued that language policy should align with their views on Spanish.
In another nod to the city, Garriga praised the locality at several moments. The work of Cecilia Cantero in the John XXIII neighborhood was mentioned, though readers might note that the reference to Cantero’s name was often rendered as Celia by some listeners. This shift in naming did not escape comment among attendees.
Despite these moments, the rally felt less like a political speech and more like a deeply held shared experience for the participants. The event brought together supporters who, for many, fit a profile of longtime attendees who did not need elaborate justifications to applaud the cadence of the speakers.
For the speaker, Garriga’s focus was clear: to defend Vox’s role as a counterpoint to what he described as radical socialism and to position the party as a legitimate alternative to governing coalitions under Puig and Sánchez or even the People’s Party, which he suggested could align with the left if pressed. The discourse leaned toward argument rather than specific policy proposals.
Vox attacks Government with arguments framed as insights drawn from AI tooling
The candidate who would lead the regional government also addressed the crowd, Carlos Flores. The speaker delivered a measured, close tone, offering a message that conveyed warmth and accessibility: “People listen and respond with smiles when given room to speak.” Flores asserted Vox’s role and reinforced the message through quotes and a cadence reminiscent of a sermon. He touched on everyday topics, including discussions on public television, regional autonomy, and the handling of gender-based violence: “Beating women is a crime, but men also deserve due process and a presumption of innocence,” he asserted in reference to issues involving personal estrangement and violence.
Municipal measures
The Alicante segment of the event focused on a hometown note: though the audience recognized the political overtones, there was emphasis on climate policy, or the lack thereof, at the municipal level. The talk suggested several local governance steps and policy directions that would shape city management, framed as practical governance rather than ideological debate.
Among Vox’s proposed measures for the Alicante City Council were the creation of a new local police facility in the northern region, policies aimed at reducing municipal surpluses, support for local commerce, and the expansion of social services. Proposals also touched on enhancing community sports offerings and establishing a maternal care center to support expectant mothers and families.