Can Alicante be just a temporary option?

Óscar Puente will not lead the Socialist Party’s list for Alicante and has opted for Valladolid. The minister says his choice would have been poorly received in the province, although he claims to spend a great deal of time there. The decision leaves an open question: who will be the Socialist candidate for Alicante, and what connection will they have to the people they represent?

Public office is not a slot to be filled as a matter of convenience. A province must not be treated as a temporary posting or a piece in an internal political strategy. Anyone seeking to speak on Alicante’s behalf should understand its needs, show a visible commitment to the area and answer to its residents. Simply saying that you spend time there is not enough.

Political stability also requires clear criteria. If a candidacy is considered and then abandoned because of an expected negative reaction, the party must explain the principles guiding its decisions. Trust is built through responsibility and consistency, not improvised manoeuvres. Citizens come first; party interests must take second place.

That does not mean that only someone born in a province can represent it. Experience and ability do not depend on where someone comes from. But neither exempts anyone from earning the trust of the community they seek to serve. Political roots are demonstrated through presence, knowledge and a willingness to be held to account—not by a mere appointment.

The PSOE must now choose its candidate for Alicante. The decision should reflect the province’s needs and avoid turning the candidacy into an extension of national disputes. For municipalities such as Guardamar, it matters to have representatives who know the area: public decisions require responsible interlocutors who can answer to the people affected by them. Alicante deserves commitment, not a temporary option.