Local politics in Callosa de Segura has seen a new change of government this term. Following an initial motion of no confidence in September 2024 that formed a left-wing tripartite, a new motion presented by the Popular Party, Vox, and a non-attached councilor has led to the change. Juan Antonio Franco, from the PP, became the town's new mayor this Thursday.
The proposal, signed by the PP (seven councilors), Vox (one), and the non-attached councilor, was presented to end the "paralysis" and "lack of governability" in the municipality. In an extraordinary plenary session, with a packed hall and the presence of the Provincial Council president, Toni Pérez, Franco secured 11 votes in favor, while the motion received six votes against.
The new mayor explained that the initiative stems not from personal confrontation but from the need to offer a "capable alternative" to restore the town's direction and stability. Franco emphasized the urgency of a council that "leads, plans, and manages" and announced that, despite the eleven months remaining until the next elections, the "most urgent problems" will be addressed. Among these, he highlighted improvements in the cleaning service, garden renovations, updated classrooms and educational centers, the creation of a second health center, and public safety. On this last point, he sent a message to the Spanish Government, noting that the Civil Guard barracks is "underfunded" despite serving eight towns with 48,000 inhabitants.
In response, former mayor Amparo Serrano alluded to the non-attached councilor's defection and described the motion as "unparalleled cynicism," recalling that the same parties left the municipal coffers "in a lamentable state" in previous terms. Serrano boasted of "sound finances," with two budgets approved and a settlement of 1.8 million euros, as well as general reserves of 1.6 million. She highlighted the increase in Local Police officers, surveillance cameras, and joint operations against drug trafficking. She acknowledged that cleaning "is improvable" and criticized the PP for losing competencies in the Plan Edificant, valued at six million.
During the spokespersons' turn, the Popular Party's Inmaculada Cascales defended the change as "for and for Callosa," accusing the previous government of "governing only for their own" and of "creating obstacles." Fran Maciá (PSOE) lamented the return to square one and criticized the defection, while Javier Pérez (UCIN) justified the vote in favor due to "coherence" and to "restore stability." Rosario Grián (Vox) emphasized that Juan Antonio Franco will offer "solutions with effective and close management."
