Authorities in Seville have finally agreed on measures to maintain order during the remaining holiday weeks. After nearly three weeks of delays caused by party disagreements, the city council has approved a special security plan that will remain in effect until January 6. The position of the Vox party played a key role in the decision, as they abstained from voting, allowing city hall to implement the initiative.
Initially, the project was blocked by the entire opposition back at the end of October, just two days before the official launch of the Christmas lights. At that time, council members criticized the plan’s financial details and the lack of coordination with oversight bodies. However, after 22 days—and despite the document remaining virtually unchanged—the situation shifted thanks to political negotiations.
Financial issues
According to the new agreement, €4.6 million will be allocated to pay municipal police for working on holidays and weekends. These funds will come from the 2026 budget, which has yet to be approved. This year, the incentive fund for police officers has already been exhausted, with only €17,000 remaining in the accounts. The opposition argued that this financing scheme creates risks for future expenditures and could lead to budget shortfalls down the line.
Under an agreement with the municipal police union (Sppm), each officer is guaranteed an additional day off and up to 595 euros for every public holiday or weekend shift worked. This is intended to compensate for overtime and boost staff motivation during peak periods.
Political bargaining
Vox’s decision to abstain came as a surprise to many, as just the day before party representatives had announced plans to block the project. However, during negotiations with the ruling Partido Popular (PP), a compromise was reached. Both parties are now discussing the city budget, and Vox has succeeded in having several of its proposals included, particularly regarding demographics and the redistribution of funds among social programs.
During the security plan discussions, Vox representatives stressed that their support is not unconditional. The party is demanding that City Hall implement structural reforms within the police force and ensure more transparent fund allocation. According to Cristina Peláez, if changes are not made in the future, their support could be withdrawn.
Criticism and protests
Opposition factions, including socialists and representatives of left-wing forces, sharply criticized the actions of city hall. They accused the city leadership of poor organization and lack of long-term planning. They were particularly outraged by the fact that in early December, authorities were forced to implement the first phase of an emergency plan—typically reserved for natural disasters—to maintain order. This decision sparked protests among police officers, many of whom refused to report for duty without the official declaration of a state of emergency.
The unions filed a lawsuit demanding the suspension of the emergency plan. The judge has not yet made a final decision, while the mayor announced plans to hold accountable those employees who failed to report for duty without valid reasons.
Union Response
Sppm union leader Luis Val praised the adoption of the new plan, noting that it would ensure a greater police presence on the streets compared to previous years. Had the vote failed, the city would have been forced to use outdated regulations from 2004 that do not account for today’s realities.
At the same time, representatives of another union, Csif, expressed dissatisfaction that the authorities offered only financial incentives without addressing underlying issues. In their view, unless the police structure is reformed and operational efficiency improved, the lack of resources and personnel will become a problem again next year.
Next Steps
Questions surrounding police operations and budget allocation remain a source of heated debate. Vox insists on the need for changes, while the opposition demands greater transparency and accountability from City Hall. In the coming weeks, the city faces new rounds of budget negotiations that will determine not only public safety, but also funding for other municipal programs.
