Results for the rest of the Vega Baja

 The PP has improved it’s hold on the Vega Baja, The Party has managed to win eleven absolute majorities in the Vega Baja region, compared to nine for the PSOE.

In addition, the PP have won the largest number of votes in three towns and cities including Orihuela.

One of the biggest surprises of election night was the PP gaining a majority in Jacarilla, winning the municipality from the PSOE. The party also achieved absolute majorities in Almoradí, Albatera, Catral, Redován, Cox , Bigastro, Formentera del Segura , Benijófar, Pilar de la Horadada and Torrevieja.

Meanwhile the PSOE has an absolute majority in its strongholds of Rojales, Guardamar del Segura, Dolores, Los Montesinos, Rafal, Algorfa, San Isidro and Benferri also winning, rather surprisingly, the municipality of Granja de Rocamora.

There you have it

In 2019, the PP got 1,666 votes which gave them 7 seats on the council. The PSOE got 1,341 votes which gave them 5 seats. The 13th seat went to the Liberal party.

This time, the PP have increased their majority to 3 over other parties. 

The PP also gained ground in Alicante Province where they increased the number of seats from 598 to 716.

 

 

Voting today

Polling stations opened at 9am and will close at 8pm.

If you are inside the polling station when the clock strikes 8pm, but still haven't voted, you will still legally be able to complete your vote. 

Identify yourself

When you arrive at your local polling station you will first need to identify yourself. You can use several different official documents or cards to identify yourself. These include:

National identity document (DNI) if you have Spanish citizenship

Passport

Driver's licence (with photo)

Green EU residence card, for citizens of the European Union (remember though this doesn’t include a photo, so you will probably also need your passport or other photo ID)

Foreign identity card or TIE for non-EU nationals whose country has a bilateral agreement.

Where to vote

For us that will be Table C in the Auditorium.  

 

Mud slinging

 Mud slinging is an unfortunate feature of pollical campaigns. Mostly it is used when a particular party has little to offer themselves - they resort to slagging off the other parties. The tactic works best if it is employed days before the vote takes place (remember how the disclosure of Hilary Clinton's use of private  emails just days before the Presidential Election in 2016 gave Donald Trump the keys to the White House). 

Just a few days before we vote, the PP (Conservatives) here in Bigastro are complaining that the PSOE (Socialists) are spreading lies in an attempt to make a case against them. Each has taken out a "denuncia" against the other. 

It all centres around postal votes. The Socialists claim there has been an increase in the number of people using a postal vote from 30 to 170. They say this is because the PP are "helping" or even coercing the most vulnerable to vote by post for them. They say that PP Councillors have been seen  accompanying people to the Post Office to make a postal vote in favour of the PP. They have also been seen carrying postal votes made on behalf of people to the Post Office. Of course, if someone offers to help you vote, you will look upon them favourably but the PP say that they have helped people regardless of who they support. Their mantra has always been, who you vote for is your decision  - the important thing is that you vote. 

The people of Bigastro have long memories. They remember how the golden days of the Socialist Councils in the past crumbled and they left the town heavily in debt. 

The diesel generators outside La Paz school and the Sports Centre because the town could not pay its electricity bill were visible evidence of how far the town had fallen. Even if the courts could not find the Socialist Council and the Mayor in particular guilty of corruption, everyone knew of the way things operated in Bigastro. We recall that Joaquin Moya spent 15 months in prison and Raul Valero had to take over as mayor. 

I'd say this latest wheeze by the PSOE could be said to be the kettle calling the pot black. By making these claims, it could all backfire on them - instead of gaining votes, they could end up losing them. Using Trump’s tactics from the 2020 Presidential Election is not a wise move! 

That's the garden watered

And the pool filled!

 

The painting group

 Members of the Club de Pintura de Bigastro met last night with the Alcaldesa and the Councilor for Culture. 

Since Pam and I were in Manchester for the grand opening, I took the opportunity to take photos of the paintings on display and then photos of each member posing with Teresa and Alejandra in front of their paintings. 

One of the members not exhibiting, kindly took a photo of me in front of my pictures. 

You can find the photos in the sidebar.  

Only the second time

 It is normally hot and sunny for San Isidro. The pilgrims, who walk all the way from the town up to the Hermitage at La Pedrera, often complain about the log hard slog up the hill from the entrance to our estate to the little chapel. 

Today there was quite a strong wind to cool them down and now there is a thunderstorm circling overhead. 

If it is still raining at 8pm, I'm not sure what they will do. I doubt that they will bring the statue back down and risk getting it soaked. AEMET forecast is for the storm to pass by then - we shall see. 

On another note, one of the horses taking part in the romeria, fell just outside the town. Apparently they were were able to get it back on its hooves and it was OK. 

This Saturday

 

Big Arte

After countless hours at the easel and hours of preparation, the first exhibition of the Club de Pintura Bigastro, “Big Arte”,will open to the public on Friday. We hope that this will be the start of another chapter in the cultural history of the town. 

The eight of us participating are showcasing a variety of styles of expression and talent unique to ourselves. We hope that you enjoy the exhibition as much as we have enjoyed putting it together. 

 I won't be there because it will be my grandson's first communion on Saturday. However, I look forward to seeing photos of the inauguration on Facebook and the work of my fellow artists on my return. 

 I would like to join my fellow artists in thanking those who have assisted us. In particular we would like to thank Alejandra Moya Celedonio, the Councillor for Culture, for her support.

New lamps for old

Today, they are installing new, safer lighting on the road from town up to the junction where the roundabout is.

 

Testing, testing 3,2,1...

 🚨Attention! ⚠️ From the Emergency Centre we are informed that on Thursday 04/05/2023 in the morning at 11.30h the national alert network system will be tested in the region of Vega Baja del Segura.

🚨 IT IS A TEST from the Centre for Emergency Coordination of the Valencian Generalitat.  In case of  a new flood episode (DANA2019), an earthquake, a fire or any other grave incident, a warning message with instructions will be sent to the population.

📲 A loud whistle will ring on the mobile phones and they will display a message indicating that it is a test to all the mobile phones that are at that time in that territory.

✅If you receive it, follow the instructions. DO NOT CALL 112.

That was brilliant

 The theatre group, Lugarico, entertained us last night with their latest production. 

A  great deal of hard work must have gone into this play. It was not just the lines of which there were many but the timing which was perfect. All the effort though paid off with a magnificent performance that had the packed auditorium in pleats of laughter. 

I was delighted to give my new Fujifilm XT5 and my new Fujinon 70-300mm zoom lens a  thorough workout.