Vox Pressures PP, Demands Alicante Budget Cuts to Equality Funding

Vox's dissatisfaction with the Alicante budget process has surfaced amidst tensions with the local government. Earlier this week, the party voiced concerns over the lack of transparency regarding the budget draft agreed upon with the Popular Party in December. The issue was addressed in a meeting on Thursday with Vox councillors, Mayor Luis Barcala, Finance Councillor Toni Gallego, Commerce Councillor Lidia López, and General Coordinator of Municipal Management Asunción Martínez García.

Vox expressed dissatisfaction earlier this week due to "the lack of information and contradictions in the execution of their proposals" included in the 2024 budget. However, following Thursday's meeting, they thanked the government team for "their willingness to resolve the situation that jeopardized the completion of the agreement for the 2025 budget approval," as stated in a communiqué.

Moreover, the party insists that "it has become clear that our concerns were perfectly justified," demanding that information on the execution of their proposals "be updated and accurate, without conflicting statements from the finance department and the affected council."

The Vox municipal group will present 16 amendments to the budget draft, hoping for PP support. Among these is a proposal to eliminate funding for equality promotion, reallocating the 15,000 euros to maternity promotion campaigns and a caregiver support office for dependents.

The party will maintain its support for the budget as long as their amendments are accepted and they are kept informed about the agreement's compliance.

"We take the defence of the interests of Alicante's citizens who voted for us, and those who did not, very seriously. Just as we did with the public space occupation ordinance, we will not hesitate to terminate any agreement with the government team when there are significant breaches," the party stated in a communiqué.

Vox reminded the government team that "we are the opposition, useful for Alicante, but opposition nonetheless, and we will not hesitate to take appropriate measures to continue working for our city." They also expressed hope that Thursday's meeting would be "the first of many" to ensure the information provided by the government team "is truthful and that the execution of our proposals is on the right track."

Meanwhile, the government spokesperson, Cristina Cutanda, explained on Thursday that the Popular Party is proceeding with the municipal budget process. The councillor emphasized that they are in "constant contact with Vox" and expressed confidence that the document will be approved.