The spokesperson for the Socialist Municipal Group in the Alicante city council, Ana Barceló, affirms that the budget pact reached between the PP and the extreme right, “does not benefit the people of Alicante, it subjects the city to denialist policies, they represent a setback , delves into the differences between the different neighborhoods and does not respond to numerous neighborhood demands.”
The three groups on the left in the City Council will present a motion in the next plenary session to create a commission on the Low Emission Zone Ordinance in which all political groups are present. “It gives the impression that the government team does not know what they are talking about when they assure that they will promote an ordinance that does not include any type of restriction,” added the former Minister of Health.
“Barcala knows perfectly well that any ordinance has to have sanctioning power,” says Barceló, “because, if not, compliance would be totally unfeasible and would not comply with European legislation. This is a necessary requirement since the investments have been carried out with European funds. If he does not act like this, the mayor will jeopardize the receipt of this aid,” he said.
“The mayor has given in to the climate change denialist policies championed by the extreme right while demonstrating his inability to maintain a dialogue. He has not wanted to speak either with the political forces of the left or with the five districts of the city because he is not interested in public participation; “He bothers her and makes her uncomfortable,” the spokesperson highlighted.
The socialist spokesperson has criticized that the councilor submits to the ultra agenda by accepting the conditions imposed with Vox to establish an anti-abortion office while social policies do not address basic needs. No resources are provided to address child poverty, leaving Equality policies without content and with a token budget.
Another example is the creation of a service to combat the illegal occupation of homes, when the most pressing need that the citizens of Alicante have is to be able to access decent housing. “We see how the PP blocks the construction of public housing, only contemplating the construction of 10 homes in 2024, while creating an office against illegal occupation, as if it were the biggest problem that Alicante has.”
Compromís spokesperson, Rafa Mas, considers that “the agreement reached is a shame, a scam on citizens that could cost Europe the withdrawal of aid.” His formation estimates that not establishing sanctions for those who fail to comply with the rules could cost the city “more than 25 million euros.”
Manolo Copé, spokesperson for EU-Podem, believes it is “worrying to see how totally irrational political interests are put before the health and well-being of the citizens of Alicante.” In his opinion, “environmental protection should not be the subject of negotiation.” For the left-wing formation, “the decision to incorporate a large number of amendments proposed by Vox represents a worrying turn in municipal policies and decisions.”
“The increase in the financial endowment to the Bullfighting School, another request from Vox included in this budget agreement,” says Copé, “raises doubts about the direction taken by cultural policy and the responsible use of public resources to promote activities that generate controversy and division among citizens. Can the mayor and the Treasury councilor explain to us how the increase in the bullfighting school’s resources improves the lives of the people of Alicante?” asks the spokesperson.
