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The Provincial Institution Holds the State of the Province Debate

Alicante / 6 December 2025

The President of the Alicante Provincial Council, Toni Pérez, announced during today’s State of the Province Debate that the Council will increase all financial support allocated to municipalities by 10.5%, provided the central government lifts the current restriction preventing local authorities from using their budget surpluses before the end of the year. He noted that the increase coincides with “the exact percentage rise Pedro Sánchez will apply to electricity prices for all Spaniards from 2026.”

During the extraordinary session, Pérez strongly defended the Provincial Council’s role as a guarantor of the survival and wellbeing of municipalities—particularly the smallest—“by providing shared services, strengthening territorial cohesion and safeguarding the harmony and interests of this province.”

The president condemned the central government’s refusal to allow local authorities to deploy their accumulated savings—estimated at €1 billion across the province and €400 million at the Provincial Council itself—to invest in public welfare. He described the situation as “nonsensical and a suffocation for our municipalities,” adding that, due to the absence of approved General State Budgets, Alicante remains “52nd out of 52 provinces in terms of central government investment.”

Pérez highlighted that Alicante is Spain’s fourth most populous province and fifth in GDP contribution, arguing that national investment levels do not reflect the province’s economic or demographic weight. He criticised the “blatant disregard” shown by the central government, noting that Alicante receives only 0.7% of national public works investment—“six times less than what we should receive based on population and GDP.” He reiterated the province’s ongoing need for critical infrastructure, including the rail link to Alicante Airport, a second runway, the Mediterranean Corridor and improvements to the Alcoy–Xàbia railway line.

The president also addressed the continued political pressure on the Tagus–Segura water transfer, warning that government decisions “threaten the future of this land and risk ruining thousands of families who depend on it.” He called for “fewer impulsive decisions and more science” and renewed his call for a National Water Pact, emphasising that water policy “is about people, not territories.”

Much of Pérez’s address focused on defending the Provincial Council’s management and its commitment to meeting the needs of 141 municipalities and three local entities, representing more than two million residents. He cited numerous programmes and investments, including:

+Cerca Plan (€15 million),
Planifica 24–27 (276 projects totalling €133 million),
the new Subsidy Regulation,
€40 million invested in provincial roads during this term,
the AIgua digital water-cycle project (€8.2 million across 70 towns),
support for the tourism sector through Smart Costa Blanca.

“Almost half—48%—of this institution’s budget goes directly to the municipalities,” Pérez stated. He rejected opposition claims of government paralysis, noting that in just two and a half years, the Council has processed over 10,000 direct grants worth more than €300 million and completed over 1,750 works totalling more than €200 million.

He also thanked the Valencian regional government and the “government of change” for measures benefiting Alicante, including assuming responsibilities for the Doctor Esquerdo Centre, reaching an agreement with EPSAR on sanitation and wastewater treatment, and advancing the Vive Plan.

Political Reactions

During the debate, Ana Serna, spokesperson for the Partido Popular, denounced the reinstatement of fiscal rules preventing local administrations from using their surplus funds. “We have a budget of around €350 million, zero debt, and savings of nearly €400 million. What sense does it make that we cannot invest this money to help our municipalities grow?” she asked, urging cross-party support for legislative reform.

Opposition groups, including the Socialist Party and Compromís, criticised what they described as “paralysis” within the Provincial Council and questioned the lack of “new proposals or transformative projects” during the current term. They also highlighted reductions in funding for consumer support, social aid and fire prevention.

Vox spokesperson Gema Alemán focused her remarks on the absence of a national budget and criticised delays in the delivery of provincial resources to local municipalities. She also rejected climate-change-related aid programmes and international cooperation initiatives.

🌴

🌴 WHAT’S ON ACROSS THE COSTA BLANCA

Benidorm & Surrounding Areas | 10th–16th August 2026

The Costa Blanca heads into another huge week of summer, with beaches busy, nightlife in full swing and a packed programme of festivals, sport, culture and family entertainment across Benidorm and the Marina Baixa.

The big talking point this week is the 12 August solar eclipse, with Benidorm and the surrounding coastline preparing for an extraordinary evening as the Moon covers almost the entire face of the Sun.

Hotels are also enjoying strong August demand. Latest regional forecasts put Benidorm's August hotel occupancy at around 92%, underlining the strength of the peak summer season.

☀️ BENIDORM

🏖️ Beaches & Summer Activities

Levante, Poniente and Mal Pas remain at the heart of Benidorm's summer action, with swimming, water sports, boat trips and beach activities continuing throughout the week.

Popular activities include:

🏄 Paddleboarding and kayaking
🚤 Boat trips to Benidorm Island
🪂 Parasailing
🌊 Jet ski experiences
🏐 Beach volleyball
🏖️ Family beach activities
🌅 Sunset cruises

The giant BENIDORM letters on the Tamarindos Promenade continue to provide one of the city's newest photo opportunities, with the installation made from recycled fishing nets recovered from the Mediterranean.

🎿 Benidorm Cable Ski – 60 Years

The legendary Benidorm Cable Ski continues its 60th-anniversary celebrations, marking six decades as one of Europe's pioneering cable-ski facilities.

🎶 Entertainment & Nightlife

Benidorm's famous entertainment scene remains in full summer mode, with live tribute acts, cabaret, comedy, karaoke, DJs, rooftop venues, beach clubs and late-night shows continuing throughout the week.

On Friday 14 August, BRESH takes over SkyFest Benidorm, bringing its mix of pop, reggaeton and commercial music to the city.

Sunday night also brings La Casita de Lo Perreo to KU Benidorm, with reggaeton, DJs and poolside summer entertainment.

🌞 THE BIG EVENT – 12 AUGUST SOLAR ECLIPSE

Wednesday 12 August is set to be one of the most unusual evenings of the summer.

In Benidorm, the eclipse will be partial but exceptionally deep, with approximately 99.5–99.6% of the Sun covered at maximum eclipse around 8.34pm. The Sun will remain very low above the western horizon and will set while the eclipse is still in progress.

This means the Costa Blanca will not experience totality in Benidorm itself, but the dramatic near-total eclipse should still create a striking change in the evening light.

Special eclipse experiences are being organised locally, including an e-bike tour through Benidorm, Albir and Altea, with an evening stop in Altea for eclipse viewing.

For those wanting to experience totality, specialist excursions are also being offered from the Costa Blanca towards areas where the eclipse is total.

⚠️ Never look directly at the Sun without proper certified eclipse protection.

🌿 ALBIR & L’ALFÀS DEL PI

The Albir coastline remains a favourite for visitors looking for a quieter alternative to Benidorm.

🚶 Monday Healthy Walk

Tonight, Monday 10 August, l’Alfàs del Pi continues its weekly healthy walking programme.

The walk begins at 8.00pm from the Anchor at Racó de l’Albir beach, with Costa Blanca Balla coordinating the August routes.

No booking is required and the activity is designed to encourage exercise, wellbeing and social interaction.

♿ Accessible Beach Service

The accessible bathing service at Racó de l’Albir continues until the end of September, offering adapted equipment and assistance for people with reduced mobility.

Visitors can also enjoy the famous Albir Lighthouse Trail, coastal cycling, outdoor activities, restaurants and evening entertainment.

🏰 GUADALEST

The spectacular mountain village of Guadalest remains one of the Costa Blanca's most popular day trips.

Visitors can explore:

🏰 Guadalest Castle
🏛️ Historic museums
⛰️ Mountain viewpoints
🌿 Walking routes
☕ Traditional cafés
🛍️ Local shops and crafts

The municipality is also continuing its work towards becoming a Smart Tourist Destination, focusing on digitalisation, sustainability and smarter tourism management.

🍫 VILLAJOYOSA

Colourful Villajoyosa continues its summer programme with culture and entertainment for residents and visitors.

Highlights include the historic old town, colourful seafront, chocolate heritage and the Valor Chocolate Museum, alongside summer cultural activities.

On Friday 14 August, the town hosts “Manouche Melodies”, a jazz performance by Le Jazz Hot at the Auditori La Barbera dels Aragonés.

On Saturday 15 August, an outdoor screening of Imaginary Friends is scheduled at the same venue.

🎉 LA NUCÍA – FESTES D’AGOST

One of the biggest local celebrations gets underway this week as Les Festes d’Agost de La Nucía run from 14–18 August.

The programme combines traditional celebrations, music, processions, fireworks, family activities and late-night entertainment.

Friday 14 August

The festivities officially get underway with a packed programme of traditional and family activities, followed by evening entertainment.

Saturday 15 August

The programme includes:

⛪ Mass for the Feast of the Assumption
🎺 Procession
🎆 Night-time mascletà
🎶 Live music including Arre-Ak and Malifeta
🎉 Late-night festivities

Sunday 16 August

The celebrations continue with:

🎺 Despertà
⛪ Mass for San Roque
🌸 Floral offering
💃 Traditional dances
🎶 Los Manolos live
🎆 Night-time mascletà
🎮 Free gaming and family activities

The official programme confirms that the festivities continue through 18 August.

🌅 FINESTRAT

🏐 49th La Cala Beach Volleyball Tournament – 15 August

One of the Costa Blanca's great sporting traditions returns to La Cala de Finestrat on Saturday 15 August.

The 49th edition of the tournament will feature men's and women's 4x4 beach volleyball, bringing together high-level players, amateur competitors and spectators.

The tournament has become a major fixture of the summer sporting calendar and is expected to attract large crowds to La Cala.

🎭 Summer Culture

Finestrat's summer cultural programme also continues, with concerts and performances taking place around the historic village and Auditori del Castell.

On Friday 14 August, the Auditori del Castell hosts a concert by Rondalla Cordes i Veus Font del Molí and La Dolça Parranda de Tibi.

The town is also preparing for its major Patron Saint celebrations, which begin on 15 August and continue until 24 August.

🎭 ALTEA

Following the huge Castell de l’Olla fireworks spectacular last weekend, Altea returns to its summer rhythm of art, culture, music and tourism.

The historic old town remains a major attraction, with its whitewashed streets, galleries, restaurants and famous church square.

Visitors can also enjoy:

🎨 Balconades – outdoor art displayed around the old town
🛍️ Evening artisan market
🎶 Summer concerts
🍷 Waterfront dining
🌅 Sunset walks

The Balconades exhibition continues to turn balconies and façades in the old town into an open-air art gallery through August.

🚔 SUMMER SAFETY

With visitor numbers at their seasonal peak, enhanced policing and emergency arrangements remain in place across major tourist areas.

Following the recent fireworks incident at Castell de l’Olla, visitors are also reminded to follow official safety advice at large public events and to rely on information from local authorities and emergency services.

The high summer wildfire risk also remains an important consideration. Visitors should follow local restrictions, avoid fires or barbecues in prohibited areas and report smoke or suspected fires immediately.

📅 THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS

🌞 10 Aug – Monday healthy walk, Racó de l’Albir
🌒 12 Aug – Near-total solar eclipse visible from Benidorm
🚴 12 Aug – Special eclipse experiences around Albir/Altea
🎶 14 Aug – BRESH at SkyFest Benidorm
🎭 14 Aug – Manouche Melodies, Villajoyosa
🎉 14–18 Aug – Les Festes d’Agost, La Nucía
🎭 14 Aug – Rondalla Cordes i Veus, Finestrat
🏐 15 Aug – 49th La Cala Beach Volleyball Tournament
🎬 15 Aug – Imaginary Friends, Villajoyosa
🎶 16 Aug – Los Manolos, La Nucía
🌴 Every evening – Live music, entertainment and nightlife across Benidorm

🌴 QUICK SUMMARY

✅ Peak August holiday season
🏖️ Beaches and water sports in full swing
🌞 Near-total eclipse on 12 August
🧜 Summer attractions continue across Benidorm
🎿 Benidorm Cable Ski celebrates 60 years
♿ Accessible bathing at Albir continues until September
🏐 La Cala hosts its 49th beach volleyball tournament
🎉 La Nucía's major August fiestas begin
🎨 Altea's summer art and cultural programme continues
🎶 Live music and nightlife across the Costa Blanca

🌤️ WEATHER & SUMMER ADVICE

The Costa Blanca remains firmly in summer mode, with hot Mediterranean conditions expected.

Visitors should stay hydrated, use high-factor sunscreen, seek shade during the hottest part of the afternoon and take particular care during outdoor activities.

For the eclipse, certified solar viewing protection is essential. Ordinary sunglasses are not suitable for looking at the Sun. In Benidorm, the eclipse will remain partial, despite the exceptionally high level of coverage.

The message for the week is simple: beaches by day, fiestas and entertainment by night – and on Wednesday, look to the sky. 🌴🌞🌒