Week in News: Marathon Milestones, Political Shifts & City Crowds

Buen dia! Valencia is buzzing with marathon energy, holiday shoppers, and political developments. Here’s your news roundup. Reminder: Today is a public holiday. Shops may be closed.

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Record-breaking Marathon

Over 30,000 runners finished the Valencia Marathon for the first time, a record number for the city, Las Provincias reports. Kenyan elites dominated the leaderboard, and a new women’s world record was set by Joyciline Jepkosgei, Valencia Plaza writes.

A combination of marathon visitors and holiday shopping filled the streets with a Fallas-like atmosphere, Las Provincias notes.

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Politics & Government

Pérez Llorca’s Inauguration

Valencia’s new Generalitat President, Juan Francisco Pérez Llorca, took office with a speech asking forgiveness from DANA flood victims and promising a new phase for the region, reports El País.

Llorca’s ‘Wish List’ for the New Consell

The new administration has outlined its priorities: hospital wait lists, public housing, and civil service stabilization, writes Las Provincias.

First Visit to Picanya

Llorca’s first official outing was to Picanya, “ground zero” in the DANA, to show renewed commitment to rebuild after the disaster, reports El País.

Mazón’s New Salary Boost

In the meantime, former president Carlos Mazón has decamped to Alicante, writes El País, where he will preside over a long-dormant Les Corts commission, receiving an additional €634 monthly.

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Economy & Housing

Not Enough Housing for New Residents

Valencia gained 53,000 residents last year but built just 3,434 new homes, writes Valencia Plaza, creating what analysts describe as a “critical gap.”

African Swine Fever Fallout

Almost 900 farms remain exposed to trade impacts following the viral outbreak in Aragón, with implications for the agricultural sector, Valencia Plaza writes. Several countries have already suspended shipments of Spanish pork. The disease poses no threat to humans but can be devastating for livestock.

Verifactu Digital Invoicing Delayed

Spain pushes back the rollout of the mandatory digital bookkeeping system until 2027, Valencia Plaza reports. The system was due to take effect in January and would affect companies as well as more than 3 million self-employed.

Map of Foreign Residents

A new street-by-street analysis by El Diario shows how residents, and particularly foreign arrivals in Spain, cluster by origin and income. The map shows that the beach towns of Denia and Torrevieja have particularly concentrated clusters of European residents, sometimes to the exclusion of other groups.

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Crime & Policing

Neo-Nazi Cell Dismantled in Castellón

Police arrested members of what they say is the first terrorist cell of its kind discovered in the region, Las Provincias reports. The group appeared to be an extension of the far-right extremist group known as The Base, explains El País.

Elite Bicycle Thief Arrested

Police detained the suspect behind the theft of MotoGP star Jorge Martín’s high-value bicycle, writes Las Provincias, an investigation that led to Madrid.

Inheritance Poisoning Case Moves to Court

Prosecutors are seeking prison time for the man accused of poisoning family members in Requena in a complex revenge plot over a disputed inheritance, reports Las Provincias.

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City Life

Pedestrian-only Streets Expand for the Holidays

As holiday shoppers throng the streets, Valencia is testing out C/ Jorge Juan as a pedestrian-only street for the Christmas season, writes Las Provincias. If successful, the City Council is considering making it a permanent feature.

Colón Revamp

City Hall is considering a major redesign of its main commercial boulevard, Calle Colon, including removing motorcycle parking to create more space for pedestrians and cyclists, reports Valencia Plaza. The roadworks are expected to start next year after Fallas.

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That’s it for this week. I’ll be putting out Christmas Markets and other holiday events later this week. Enjoy the long weekend!