Nearly five hundred residents gathered outside the Town Hall in Playa Flamenca, advocating for improved services in Orihuela Costa. The protest was led by Roman Jiménez, president of the Party for the Independence of Orihuela Costa, who read a manifesto urging the Generalitat Valenciana to intervene due to the local government’s failure to deliver essential services owed to the community. This rally emphasises the ongoing concerns among residents regarding inadequate service provision on the coast.

Jiménez pointed out that despite all political parties in Orihuela having had their turn in governance, they have consistently failed to meet the needs of the coastal residents, who feel neglected by politicians located thirty-five kilometres away. He stressed that the residents pay for these services, which include public lighting, waste collection, and road maintenance, yet receive little to nothing in return.

The meeting was also significant as Jiménez managed to include a crucial proposal in the agenda, urging the Generalitat Valenciana to step in and demand accountability from the municipality. Notably, the vote resulted in opposition from the People’s Party and Vox, while the Socialist Party, Cambiemos, and Citizens abstained, although three members supported the proposal from Jiménez.

Jiménez’s efforts come after a delay of five months since the last district assembly. Locals have expressed frustration at the lack of progress, just as the meeting highlighted a contrast between a significant investment in the town’s historical centre and the ongoing neglect of coastal services that residents desperately need. The rally has reignited conversations about local governance and accountability in Orihuela Costa.