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CostaBlancaPeople 30th May - 5th June 2023
30TH MAY - 5TH JUNE 2023 - EDITION 994
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Your Essential Weekly Read
PP Strengthens grip on local municipalities The Partido Popular (PP) has made significant gains in the Vega Baja region, reasserting its dominance in what has traditionally been a rightwing stronghold. Building upon their achievements four years ago, the PP has managed to recapture additional ground, winning eleven absolute majorities in the region, compared to the PSOE’s nine. In a surprising turn of events, the PP’s
success extends beyond the absolute majorities, as they have also secured the highest number of votes in three municipalities. This includes Orihuela, where the Popular Party emerged victorious with a simple majority, obtaining ten councillors. One of the most remarkable victories of election night was the PP’s majority win in Jacarilla, wresting control of the municipality from the PSOE.
Additionally, the PP achieved absolute majorities in Almoradí, Albatera, Catral, Redován, Cox, Bigastro, Formentera del Segura, Benijófar, Pilar de la Horadada, and Torrevieja. In the municipal elections of Torrevieja, the PP has swept aside the opposition. Eduardo Dolón not only reaffirmed the absolute majority achieved in 2019 but also increased the number of councillors from 14 to 16. The Partido Popular garnered 55 percent of the total votes, reflecting a 9.2 percent increase from the previous elections in 2019, with an additional 2,372 votes. Their total count rose from 10,261 to 12,640. Meanwhile, the PSOE managed to secure an absolute majority in its strongholds of Rojales, Guardamar del Segura, Dolores, Los Montesinos, Rafal, Algorfa, San Isidro, and Benferri. Furthermore, they surprisingly won the municipality of Granja de Rocamora. In San Miguel de Salinas, the PSOE remains the leading party with six councillors, followed by the PP with
four, Vox with two, and the EU with one. The socialists will need the support of the EU to form a government. José Manuel Butrón comfortably claimed victory in Los Montesinos, with the PSOE obtaining an absolute majority of nine councillors. The PP secured three seats, while EUPV won one. In Pilar de la Horadada, the Partido Popular achieved a historic victory, winning an absolute majority with a total of 14 councillors, three more than in the previous term. The current mayor, José María Pérez, will continue to govern the town. The PP received 4,521 votes, nearly a thousand more than in previous years. However, in Callosa de Segura, the PP’s dominance waned slightly as they won seven seats, one less than in 2019. Former PP councillor Javier Pérez, leading the newly formed Ucin (Unión de Ciudadanos Independientes), entered the town hall with three seats. The PSOE maintained its five councillors, while the EU and Vox secured one seat each.
No change In Rojales, the PSOE, under the leadership of Antonio Pérez, secured an absolute majority with nine councillors, compared to the PP’s four, two from Ciudadanos (C’s), and two from Pader, marking one of C’s best results of the night. Guardamar del Segura witnessed the PSOE once again obtaining an absolute majority, albeit by the slimmest margin. José Luis Sáez will govern with nine councillors, while the PP’s representation increased to six. Vox and the EU secured one seat each. In Albatera, the PP expanded its absolute majority, securing 11 councillors compared to the PSOE’s five and Vox’s one. Similarly, in Catral, the PP will govern alone with nine councillors, while the PSOE secured four. There were no changes in San Fulgencio, where the PSOE emerged victorious with six councillors, including Sam Hull and Darren Parmenter. However, governing is not guaranteed for the PSOE, as the PP secured five councillors, and the PIPN won two seats. The PIPN has been highly critical of the socialist government. Overall, the Partido Popular’s impressive performance in the Vega Baja region signifies a strengthening of their political influence in this rightleaning area.