The Socialist Municipal Group (PSOE) has proposed that the 1,273,323.73 euro the Torrevieja Ayuntamiento is set to receive from the definitive settlement of State taxes for the 2024 financial year should be entirely dedicated to increasing financial support for local associations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and universities.
This additional funding stems from the difference between the initial income forecasts and the final settlement published by the Virtual Office for the Financial Coordination of Local Entities. With the Torrevieja Ayuntamiento receiving over 1.27 million euro more than anticipated, the PSOE argues this money must be directly reinvested into the groups that perform essential daily work for the local community.
“We are talking about associations and entities that cover needs that the local administration often cannot reach. They carry out vital social, care, educational, and cultural work, and we believe this additional money should be used precisely to reinforce that effort,” a party representative stated.
This specific proposal follows a recent Plenary session where the Partido Popular (PP) criticised the PSOE for abstaining from a credit modification vote worth more than seven million euro. The PP accused the socialists of avoiding municipal management and abandoning social entities.
The PSOE has firmly rejected this argument, labelling it as pure demagoguery. They clarified that the credit modification in question allocated merely 10 percent of its total to associations, NGOs, social entities, and universities. The remaining 90 percent, amounting to over 6.5 million euro, was destined for other projects that the PSOE claims compromise the Ayuntamiento’s financial stability.
The socialists noted that they chose to abstain out of respect for the beneficiary associations. They made it clear during the Plenary that if the aid for these groups had been presented as an independent file, they would have undoubtedly voted in favour.
“What we did not agree with was the Partido Popular using those grants as an alibi to push through a credit modification of more than six and a half million euro that we considered unjustified,” the PSOE explained. They argued that mixing the two issues was a deliberate attempt to stifle debate and mislead the public into believing that anyone who opposed the full modification was against the associations.
Responding to the PP’s claim that managing a municipality simply means raising a hand to vote, the PSOE countered that management also involves oversight, offering alternatives, and proposing better uses for public funds. They believe the Partido Popular now has the opportunity to prove its genuine commitment to Torrevieja’s community networks.
“If they truly believe that managing consists of raising their hand, we hope they will now raise it to support our proposal and allocate this 1,273,323.73 euro to reinforce aid to associations, NGOs, and universities,” the PSOE challenged.
The socialist group emphasised the stark difference between increasing a budget for new urban development and supporting organisations that work with residents every day. They stressed that this is not about construction work that can be completed sooner or later, but about people and services that the local administration often cannot provide with the necessary speed and proximity.
Concluding their statement, the Socialist Municipal Group reaffirmed their approach to local politics. They vowed to continue supporting initiatives beneficial to Torrevieja, demanding transparency in the management of public funds, and presenting practical proposals to improve residents’ lives. For the PSOE, managing a city means deciding its true priorities, which they maintain will always be the people.
