The PP in the Provincial Council Closes 'Opposition Case' After Confirming Human Error

The absolute majority of the PP in the Alicante Provincial Council has closed the investigation committee on alleged irregularities in a competition to fill 58 administrative assistant positions because "it has been objectively proven that it was, without more, a human error" by the Technical Evaluation Commission in configuring the test of the selective process, with measures adopted to prevent it from happening again."

From the PP government team, the second vice president and deputy of Finance and General Administration, Marina Sáez, recalled that the popular party agreed to open the investigation committee and that "there have been three meetings where the entire file was made available to all" those involved and that "nothing was left out."

She detailed that technicians - the IT manager and the tribunal secretary - appeared to provide explanations and "were subject to any questions." "They gave the explanation they had to give," she pointed out.

Meanwhile, Vox spokesperson Gema Alemán assured that, "indeed, there was an error, but the willingness and way of explaining so meticulously what the process was shows the interest of this house in demonstrating transparency," in her opinion "accredited," something not shared by PSPV and Compromís, who have again launched criticisms on this issue.

Specifically, Compromís spokesperson Ximo Perles argued that "it is a factual fact that there were irregularities in the exam and that the test had to be repeated," and pointed out that the "error" in the test "goes beyond what was initially detected."

On the other hand, PSPV deputy José Ramiro Pastor emphasized that this situation has generated "an institutional and image crisis" that "has undermined the credibility of the institution." "The intention of this committee by the PP was not to uncover the truth, conclusions, and ensure it does not happen again, but to cover it up," he added.

At this point, the second vice president reproached PSPV and Compromís that, "when they saw the situation, as there was little more to scratch, they insisted on the appearance of the Human Resources deputy, Lourdes Llopis, when she has been in all the sessions and they have had the opportunity to question her in person."

Additionally, she responded to Perles that "the first factual fact deduced from the committee was that the only thing Compromís and PSPV wanted was political prominence in the press," and she emphasized that in the third session, "when there was nothing more to scratch, evidently, the closure was proposed."

Sáez defended that the Anti-Fraud Agency said "there was no further action because the test had been repeated and there were no indications of any kind and that the matter was filed." "They want controversy and to embarrass the PP, which has the responsibility of government and functioning of the institution," she added.

In terms of water, the plenary session also approved the motion presented by the Popular Group to advocate for maintaining the current operating rules of the Tajo-Segura transfer. The text, which received support from Vox, abstention from the PSOE, and a vote against from Compromís, warns that these changes proposed by the Ministry of Ecological Transition will reduce transferable flows by up to 40% by 2027.

According to the vice president and deputy of the Water Cycle, Ana Serna, "the hostility of the Spanish Government towards the province of Alicante is endangering our agriculture, the economic growth of the area, and the employment of many families," as it is estimated that the new rules and the increase in ecological flows will cause losses of 61 million euros and the destruction of 1,700 jobs only in the province of Alicante.