The growth that Vila-real had consolidated between 2016 and 2019 was interrupted in 2020 by the pandemic. COVID-19 not only impacted public health but also altered the city's economic model and opened a period of uncertainty. The global crisis hit the ceramic industry, the city's main economic engine, hard.
The energy crisis, stemming from the international context and the war in Ukraine, directly impacted the ceramic industry. Rising costs and difficulties in international markets affected key companies, slowing Vila-real's economic dynamism. This increase in energy costs forced many companies to reduce production and resort to temporary employment regulation files, with an immediate effect on the local economy.
“"While Castellón, or Burriana boasted about investments, Vila-real was negotiating its debts."
In this context, the arrival of the European Next Generation Funds generated expectations. However, the city could not access these aids on equal terms, as the funds did not cover the totality of costs, and municipalities had to contribute a portion of the expense. The lack of economic capacity to co-finance projects hindered the City Council's participation in these calls, putting it at a disadvantage compared to other cities.
The impact of the pandemic and its economic consequences also extended to the political sphere. After years of stability, the scenario changed in the municipal elections of 2023. A city council spokesperson managed to revalidate the government of Vila-real but lost the absolute majority it had maintained in previous stages, reflecting a certain wear and tear after years of management in a complex context. The governing pact between the PSOE and Compromís allowed the mayoralty to be maintained and new future strategies for the city to be presented.
