PIOC PRESS RELEASE
The Party for the Independence of Orihuela Costa (PIOC) met recently with representatives of the association “Entre Dos Mares Pro Ayuntamiento,” a group from La Manga and surrounding areas working toward creating their own local town hall.
This meeting served as an opportunity for the two groups to share their visions for achieving greater autonomy in their respective regions and to explore how they could support one another in their efforts.
A Shared Vision for Independence
The association “Entre Dos Mares Pro Ayuntamiento” represents an inspiring example of residents prioritizing the well-being and development of their local area over broader political ideologies. Their push for independence is not about diminishing their Spanish identity but rather about taking control of local governance to improve the quality of life in their region.
Both groups agreed that the current municipal structures—Orihuela’s governance for Orihuela Costa and Cartagena and San Javier’s administration for La Manga—have consistently failed to deliver the services that residents pay for and deserve.
Years of unfulfilled promises and insufficient investment have led them to conclude that independence is the only viable solution to secure better services and infrastructure. For both groups, additional councillors or minor concessions are no longer enough; the time for true autonomy has arrived.
Divergent Strategies, Common Goals
During the meeting, “Entre Dos Mares Pro Ayuntamiento” outlined their approach, which involves gathering signatures from 51% of residents in the affected areas to petition for independence.
While PIOC found their strategy innovative, they noted that such a method would be nearly impossible to implement in Orihuela Costa. The rapidly growing population—expanding by more than 1,300 people each year—makes it logistically unfeasible to collect the required number of signatures.
Instead, PIOC explained their plan to achieve independence through political representation. By securing councillors in successive elections, they aim to progressively gain influence within the Orihuela town hall and ultimately reach a position where they can determine the mayor.
This approach, they believe, is more suited to the dynamic and expanding population of Orihuela Costa.
The two groups agreed to support one another and share insights as they progress, recognizing that while their methods differ, their ultimate objective is the same: greater autonomy and a better quality of life for their residents.
Learning from Past Mistakes
PIOC took the opportunity to distinguish itself from past political experiments in Orihuela Costa that failed to deliver meaningful results. They emphasized the importance of having a clear and consistent vision, avoiding alliances or electoral groups that lack long-term sustainability. Referring to previous attempts at creating ad hoc electoral groups or pursuing alternative governance models, PIOC criticized these efforts as divisive and counterproductive.
They also expressed scepticism toward proposals for a “Small Local Body Entity” for Orihuela Costa, arguing that such a system would be inadequate given the region’s rapid growth. The limited representation offered by this model—capping councillors at one-third of the total—would fail to meet the area’s future needs, particularly as Orihuela Costa continues to expand.
A Clear Path to Independence
PIOC reaffirmed its commitment to independence as its ultimate goal, with a practical and strategic approach focused on gaining political representation. By steadily increasing the number of councillors in each election, PIOC aims to take control of local governance and direct resources to where they are most needed.
The party drew inspiration from the example of Pilar de la Horadada, which achieved independence despite facing significant challenges. Today, Pilar de la Horadada enjoys better services and a higher quality of life than Orihuela Costa, even with a smaller population.
PIOC envisions a similar future for Orihuela Costa, where independence will unlock greater financial resources—estimated at over €15 million annually for new investments after covering municipal expenses.
A Growing Influence
With the 2027 elections in sight, PIOC is determined to secure councillors and establish itself as the voice of Orihuela Costa’s residents.
The party predicts that within three years, the registered population of Orihuela Costa will surpass that of Orihuela Centre, and within 15 years, it will outnumber the rest of Orihuela combined. This demographic shift underscores the urgency of securing independence and ensuring that resources are allocated fairly.
PIOC remains steadfast in its mission, rejecting experiments and distractions in favor of a clear and actionable plan. With independence as its guiding principle, the party believes that Orihuela Costa can achieve the quality of life its residents deserve, driven by growth, determination, and strategic political engagement.
