Vox Hardens Its Stance on Alicante's Budget: "We Are Not Happy at All"

Llegando a finales del mes de septiembre, empieza a arrancar de verdad el curso político, con los responsables de las instituciones con una misión principal, cada uno en su ámbito: aprobar los presupuestos del ejercicio 2025. Una negociación que empieza ahora, cuando aún ni hay borrador de las cuentas, pero que sirve para tantear el terreno y adelantar el trabajo que se tiene que presentar en los próximos meses.

The Popular Party in Alicante is one vote short of an absolute majority in the plenary session, which would have allowed it to develop its program with complete freedom. But, lacking that support, it always needs one more. In this sense, Vox has always been the first option.

Even a document was made with agreements to develop certain measures during the legislature. It was a kind of 'de facto' partnership, with a committee to monitor the agreements. The PP recalls this whenever it can. The latest instance was this Tuesday when the Local Government Board approved naming a public space Plaza del Pueblo Gitano following Vox's requests. And as government spokesman Manuel Villar emphasized: "Pacts are meant to be fulfilled."

But Abascal's party decided to distance itself from the popular ones to seek its own space. Not only in Alicante; it's a national strategy to avoid being swallowed by the popular ones, as happened last legislature with Ciudadanos.

That is why they refused to support the ordinance for outdoor seating as it also included violet points against sexual assaults during festivals. The government team then found support from Compromís to move it forward.

A warning from the mayor to his 'de facto' partners. Something that hasn't been well received. Vox is not so happy: "We are not happy at all," said deputy spokesperson Mario Ortolá this Tuesday. They have already distanced themselves from the increase in the garbage tax that the City Council carried out obliged by Brussels, so the government team is open to negotiating it with Compromís.

Ortolá recalled that the committee monitoring the legislative agreements "has only met twice," which is insufficient for them. And he warns about the budget: "They will have to do in two months what they haven't done in twelve," he said after the Local Government Board meeting.

In the Congress of Deputies, lack of support for the Government has forced them to delay the deficit target, necessary for presenting the draft budget, so as not to lose another vote. In Valencia and Alicante, negotiations open with Vox marking its territory.