The Socialist Municipal Group in Torrevieja has voted against the initial approval of the municipal budget, arguing that the financial accounts presented by the Partido Popular governing team lack rigorous economic planning, rely on questionable revenue forecasts, and compromise the future of the Town Hall with a significant rise in debt.
During the plenary debate, socialist councillor David Villanueva stated that while the consolidated budget exceeds 200 million euro, the sheer volume of the accounts does not equate to sound management. He concentrated his criticism on three core issues: the overestimation of specific revenues, a lack of funding guarantees for major investments, and an increase in municipal indebtedness.
Villanueva pointed out that evaluations across five budgetary concepts—including capital gains tax, the tax on constructions, installations and works, supply company fees, the financing fund, and asset alienation—reveal a discrepancy exceeding 32.8 million euro.
Another central concern raised was asset alienation. The councillor denounced the governing team for once again relying on difficult-to-achieve revenue predictions, including 20.88 million euro from the sale of social housing units that have not yet been built and where “not a single stone has been laid”. Villanueva recalled that the Partido Popular used similar unfulfilled asset operations in previous years, warning that projects such as parks and gardens, participatory budgets, the redevelopment of Los Locos beach, the Habaneras auditorium, the Alzheimer centre, the regeneration of the Sea and Salt Museum, and the remodelling of La Plasa could all be compromised.
Regarding municipal debt, Villanueva warned that a new loan exceeding 26.1 million euro would push the Town Hall’s outstanding debt above 76 million euro by the end of 2027. He noted that when the current mayor took office in 2019, municipal debt stood below 17.3 million euro. Furthermore, he warned that total financial burdens would surpass 86.4 million euro when factoring in amortisation and interest, averaging over 7.2 million euro annually.
Responding to criticism regarding a lack of proposals, Villanueva defended his party’s refusal to negotiate isolated budget items when the structural framework itself is flawed, stressing that priorities should focus on essential public services like education, healthcare, and social services in Torrevieja rather than macro-events and propaganda.
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