On June 26, 2025, the Alicante City Council approved a declaration to modify the Law of Use and Teaching of Valencian (LUEV), supported by the Popular Party (PP) and Vox. The proposal aims to exclude Alicante from the Valencian linguistic predominance zone and include it in the Castilian linguistic predominance zone.
Before the vote, representatives from Valencian language advocacy groups spoke. Soledad Pinilla stated, "Alicante speaks Valencian and wants to continue doing so." Manuela García highlighted over 40 years of Valencian education, enabling citizens to understand both official languages. Ana Esteve pointed out that linguistic substitution is not natural but a result of linguistic repression.
During the debate, Mari Carmen de España (PP) defended Valencian as the identifying language of the Valencian Community but also the right to educate in Castilian. Carmen Robledillo (Vox) argued the declaration defends the rights and freedoms of Alicantinos in education, with Castilian as the predominant language. Opposition councilors criticized the move, calling it a setback.
PSPV councilor Miguel Castelló called the exclusion of Alicante from the Valencian linguistic zone a "social and political setback." Compromís councilor Sara Llobell lamented the declaration's ignorance of Alicante's reality. After the vote, the opposition displayed signs reading 'Yes, Valencian is spoken in Alicante,' while the right-wing parties applauded.
This decision has ignited a debate in Alicante about the Valencian language's role in the city's identity and culture.