CARTAGENA (MURCIA), 17 (EUROPA PRESS)
Urban integration of the Port, the incorporation of the Galeras mountain, CAETRA, the energy transformation of the Escombreras Valley, and a leap in quality in tourism with the organization of large events and the recovery of heritage are, according to Cartagena’s mayor, Noelia Arroyo, in the State of the Municipality Debate, the transformative projects that place the city at a «historic moment».
URBAN INTEGRATION OF THE PORT
One of the main axes has been the integration of the Port into the city, starting with the conversion of Alfonso XII into a gastronomic center, which will be joined by the maritime front of Santa Lucía, and will extend from Cala Cortina to the Navidad lighthouse.
Also, the 90 hectares of the Galeras mountain will be added. «Many Cartageneros were expecting the coastal fortresses and all the surrounding nature to be recovered, have a tourist use, and become an area for walking and sports connected to the city,» she explained.
The mayor confirmed that this acquisition was prepared months ago and was only activated «when we confirmed that there was a real interest from the private sector to collaborate in the rehabilitation of the old Fajardo barracks, with a heritage recovery model linked to quality tourism, at no cost to public coffers and with job creation.»
She also discussed the CAETRA project, focused on technological innovation in the defense sector. She reported that more than 130 companies are already involved, and the top 10 companies have already completed transactions worth over six million euros.
Arroyo pointed out that the Industrial Planning Plan foresees at least six strategic projects in the Escombreras Valley with an associated investment that could reach 3,000 million euros, which will be allocated to modernizing the productive fabric, improving logistics infrastructure, and attracting new activities linked to the energy transition.
She also explained that Cartagena «has demonstrated its ability to organize major events» such as Rock Imperium and Cartagena Suena, which attracted 87,000 attendees in one week.
HOUSING
Among the measures already implemented in terms of housing, she highlighted the free legal advisory service against squatting.
She also detailed the initial results of the forced building procedure: licenses have been requested to build a total of 221 new homes and 97 residence rooms in the old town. Additionally, she announced that the 16 notified plots that remain without licenses will be auctioned in September, to be taken over by developers committed to allocating them to housing.
1945 FEWER UNEMPLOYED
The mayor emphasized that «in Cartagena, there are 1,945 fewer unemployed than at the beginning of this term. The decrease has been higher than the national and regional averages, 13.8% compared to the national 10.5% and the regional 7.3%.» She explained that a desestacionalization of tourism is taking place, reducing the employment curves that occur after peak seasons.
She also highlighted the training for employees in the New Industries Training Table. «Over 1,620 students are being trained this year through 30 micro-training agreements and 40 agreements for dual vocational training programs with a professional certificate. 101 training actions have been carried out, resulting in 3,250 certifications and micro-accreditations to work in our companies,» she reported.
CLAIMS
«Cartagena only needs the help it deserves. But we will not settle for less,» said the mayor, who complained about the «lack of sufficient municipal funding» and the «delay» in projects and infrastructures that are the responsibility of the Government.
Arroyo announced that the Government Board will approve the tax regulations for the year 2026. «We will be the first major municipality in the Region to have them ready to have budgets prepared and for entrepreneurs to see Cartagena again as a place with low taxation, investment incentives, and legal security.»
MC POINTS OUT THE LACK OF A MODEL FOR CARTAGENA
The spokesperson for MC, Jesús Giménez Gallo, described the municipal government’s management as «disastrous,» stating that «we live in a overwhelmed Cartagena, we are not the tourist, economic, or cultural capital of the Mediterranean, because its management is poor and due to the neglect of the national and regional governments.»
Giménez Gallo reviewed what he considers «bleeding issues» to be resolved, such as the opening of beach bars; the decontamination of the Hondón lands; deficiencies in health care; lack of security in neighborhoods and districts; the recovery of cultural spaces; neglect in cleaning and garden care; lack of participation in municipal affairs, and the «ignorance shown» by the regional government in its budgets.
PSOE EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS
On the other hand, the PSOE spokesperson, Manuel Torres, stated that Arroyo «talks more about the city than the municipality, and therefore does not include the neighborhoods and districts, which are the real Cartagena.»
He also brought up the events in Torre Pacheco and called for «greater speed» in condemning such acts.
As for the municipality, he believes that it is «without a future project or management model,» while arguing that «the only one investing here is the Government of Spain.»
VOX CONFIRMS ITS SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES AND ANNOUNCES A SECURITY PLAN
The Vox spokesperson, Gonzalo López Pretel, stated that they are «working on implementing tax benefits for families with at least one child.»
Regarding immigration, he mentioned that they will fight «against mafias and the increase in crime, as well as against squatting, and will propose a security plan.»
Other lines of action they defended are promoting traditional values and the unity of Spain in cultural and educational programs, as well as defending equality and life.
SÍ CARTAGENA CONDEMNS ANY TYPE OF VIOLENCE AND ADVOCATES FOR EQUALITY
The spokesperson for the Mixed Group-Yes Cartagena, Ana Belén Castejón, pointed out what happened in Torre Pacheco to remind Vox that «what we publicly manifest is what identifies us, and Vox has been stirring up the atmosphere for some time, we condemn any type of violence, but the fight against illegal immigration is not the responsibility of local government.»
Castejón noted that municipal funding «is not only a matter for the State, the regional government also plays a part,» and that Cartagena must demand from both.
In terms of urban planning, Castejón expressed support for the work being done, but not so much for the Equality issues, expressing concern about the lack of a «more ambitious and innovative project.»
PP DEFENDS CARTAGENA AS A PRIVILEGED PLACE TO LIVE
The PP spokesperson, Ignacio Jáudenes, chose to defend Cartagena as «a privileged place to live, even though the country’s government does not contribute, we are content with them staying out and not obstructing.»
«The debate on corruption cannot diminish the importance of Cartagena, we are building the future from the present, with stability, security, certainty, serenity, and with time to work for the residents,» he said.
To conclude, he emphasized that «the important thing is people, this is the most social municipal government Cartagena has had, our goal is to put people and families at the center of everything, advocating for equality and freedom.»
