Compromís has today expressed “its profound disappointment” at the attitude of the Popular Party (PP) in the plenary session of the Alicante Provincial Council, where all the proposals presented by the Valencian coalition and the rest of the opposition groups have been rejected. “These proposals, designed to improve the 2025 budget, included specific measures to promote balanced development of the municipalities, foster sustainability and guarantee resources destined to the real needs of citizens,” they lament in a statement.
Compromís spokesperson Ximo Perles has harshly criticised the PP's refusal to consider "amendments that respond to direct demands from the town councils and that seek to address structural problems in the province." "It is regrettable that Toni Pérez's government chooses to perpetuate a business-as-usual model instead of facing the current challenges facing Alicante," said Perles. "The systematic rejection of initiatives such as the Municipal Cooperation Fund or support for access to housing is clear proof of the PP's lack of commitment to the territory and its people."
Among the rejected proposals, the group has highlighted, first of all, the recovery of the +Cerca Plan and the adhesion to the Municipal Cooperation Fund: Compromís demanded that the record investments of more than 40 million euros achieved in 2023 thanks to an agreement between the PP and Compromís be maintained, thus guaranteeing direct financing to the municipalities. It also demanded adherence to the Municipal Cooperation Fund to speed up the transfer of resources and avoid unnecessary bureaucratic procedures.
It has also been rejected the creation of a specific line for industrial estates, in which a budget of 5 million euros was proposed to develop and improve these infrastructures, "key to reactivating a relegated industry in the province," they comment in the note.
On the other hand, it was proposed that Recovery of the +Sport Plan, with a budget of 15 million euros. This plan, eliminated by the Mazón government in 2022, aimed to improve municipal sports infrastructure and support local sports entities.
Another measure rejected was the proposal by Compromís to allocate 10 million euros for the conservation of historical, cultural and architectural heritage.
On the other hand also They complain about the rejection of a 10 million euro line to address the housing problem "in a province that leads the difficulties of access to affordable housing in Spain," the political group laments.
In addition, Compromís demanded avoid a 97% reduction in subsidies to Valencians and ensure compliance with the regulations that recognise their official status in institutions. A proposal that was also rejected.
Finally, the revitalization of the Mediterranean mosaic was not approved either: The coalition proposed to allocate 5 million euros to the recovery of abandoned land, fire prevention and the protection of the rural landscape. through direct subsidies to farmers.
Compromís has described this refusal by the PP as “a democratic farce”, denouncing that a minimum space for debate has not been guaranteed. “They have given us only seven days to analyse a budget of 340 million euros, with barely one meeting in between and without any real desire to negotiate. In addition, the plenary session was called on 26 December with the clear objective of preventing the press from talking about it, thus hiding the political hijacking that the PP is exercising over the Provincial Council and keeping it out of the media spotlight.”
Perles stressed that the proposals presented were “realistic and viable”, especially in a budget with an increase of almost 40 million euros. “We presented seven realistic proposals aimed at strengthening municipal financing and addressing a priority issue such as access to housing, which is the main problem in our municipalities. However, the Provincial Council, under the direction of the PP, has chosen to allocate resources to its own personal promotion, turning this institution into an ineffective tool for citizens and town councils, and transforming it into an administration that has lost its purpose.”