The PP regains power in Melilla in elections marked by controversy and low participation

Juan José Imbroda regains power in Melilla in controversial elections, marked by the controversy over the purchase of votes by mail and the low participation of the people of Melilla on election day. The leader of the Popular Party governed Melilla for 19 years once again as the most voted list, with an absolute majority and an increase of four seats to govern without the need to make pacts. It should be remembered that in the 2019 elections Imbroda was also the most voted option, however, the vote of Eduardo de Castro, the only representative of Ciudadanos, changed the balance and finally the representative of the orange party governed with the support of the PSOE. This Sunday Ciudadanos did not obtain representation in Melilla and disappeared from the Assembly.

The Popular Party obtained a resounding victory, obtaining 14 seats, one more than the minimum for an absolute majority, however, its victory may not be confirmed for a few weeks, as the Coalition for Melilla has already announced that it is going to challenge the elections. The voters have punished the formation of Mustafá Aberchán, which drops from 8 to five deputies, probably due to the vote-buying scandal. It should be remembered that the State Attorney General directly targeted individuals related to the local party in the irregularities in voting by mail.

After the investigations, half of the votes that had been cast by mail were finally accepted and election day passed without serious incidents, although the electorate accused the scandal. Thus, at six in the afternoon, the latest data known, participation had been 7.76% lower than eight years ago.

On the political map of Melilla, the PSOE also loses a seat and is left with 3 representatives. Vox obtains two representatives and SML enters with a seat in the Assembly.