What was expected to be a decisive day in San Fulgencio’s local politics ended in chaos and controversy, as a scheduled no-confidence vote to unseat Mayor José María Ballester (Partido Popular, PP) was abruptly suspended on Wednesday, June 18.
Just before the plenary session, Alain Franz Vandenbergen, a councillor who broke ranks with the Independent Party for the Nations, had explained that he pushed for the political shift because housing developments had been neglected, despite promises made by the People’s Party. He cited the failure to maintain sewage systems—now causing a cockroach infestation—and the lack of medical staff in these areas as key reasons.
Vandenbergen noted that San Fulgencio has around 14,000 residents, with about 12,000 living in 9,200 homes within residential developments, mostly foreigners, particularly British. The other 2,000 reside in the town centre and surrounding countryside.
The motion, led by the Socialist Party (PSOE) with the crucial backing of Vandenbergen, was intended to remove Ballester and install Socialist spokesperson José Sampere as mayor. The vote, which had generated considerable local anticipation, filled the town hall to capacity, drawing a heavily engaged and vocal public audience.
However, the political drama took an unexpected turn during the formation of the “mesa de edad” (temporary chairing panel for the session), which by law is composed of the oldest and youngest members of the council and is responsible for overseeing the session. Before debate on the motion could begin, the PP presented a legal report challenging the legitimacy of the motion itself.
According to Ballester, the issue centred on Vandenbergen’s status: he submitted the motion as an “unaffiliated” or independent councillor, but the PP argued that this status had never been officially ratified in a previous plenary session, rendering the motion invalid.
Despite the town hall’s secretary general later confirming that the legal report did not constitute grounds to block the vote, the president of the mesa de edad—a PP councillor—unilaterally suspended the session and exited the chamber, followed by the rest of the PP councillors.
The suspension triggered immediate outrage from the opposition. José Sampere, who was poised to become the new mayor, announced that they would take legal action, accusing the session chair of “prevarication,” or knowingly making an unlawful decision.
In response, Ballester insisted there was no criminal wrongdoing, suggesting the matter could only be pursued through administrative litigation. He also pointed out that, under Spanish law, only one motion of no-confidence is allowed per legislative term—meaning the PSOE cannot attempt a second motion during this period.
Speaking to The Leader, PSOE Councillor Darren Parmenter said, “I thought there might be some controversy due to the Motion of Censure (such as some people throwing eggs or tomatoes) but not what eventually took place.
Until we get legal advice as to the next step, I can’t comment further other than saying that it’s another black day in the history of San Fulgencio in particular and democracy in general”.
Image courtesy of Alicante Plaza
