Murcia Mayor José Ballesta Dies: City Declares Mourning. Murcia Mayor José Ballesta has died after a two-year battle with cancer. Authorities have announced a three-day period of mourning and canceled all events. The city is now debating who will succeed him as mayor.
In Murcia, the political career of one of the region's most prominent leaders in recent years was suddenly cut short: the city's mayor, José Ballesta, passed away at the age of 68 after a long battle with cancer. According to the municipality, the mayor remained active until his last days despite his serious condition, and only recently was forced to withdraw from public life.
Mourning and event cancellations
The Murcia authorities have declared three days of mourning and suspended all official and cultural events. Ballesta was last seen in public on April 30, when he presided over a city council meeting. At that time, he appeared noticeably weakened but continued to fulfill his duties, which underscores his commitment to work even under difficult circumstances.
Two terms and a comeback
Ballesta served as mayor of Murcia from 2015 to 2021, and then resumed the post after the May 2023 elections, when his party won an absolute majority. Over the past two years, he initiated a number of city projects: a pedestrian zone on Alfonso X El Sabio Avenue, the restoration of the Segura riverbed, and the preservation of archaeological sites, including the Arab Wall and the Ibn Mardanis Palace. In March, he inaugurated the second phase of the redevelopment of the former Cárcel Vieja prison, which was transformed into a contemporary art center.
Political biography and influence
Born in Murcia in 1958, Ballesta was a doctor of medicine and a professor of biology, as well as the rector of the University of Murcia from 1998 to 2006. He entered politics at the invitation of Ramón Luis Valcárcel, serving as councillor for construction, transport, universities, and science, and was also the official spokesperson for the regional government. In 2015 and 2019, he had to form coalitions with Ciudadanos, but in 2021 he lost his position due to a vote of no confidence supported by the socialists and former allies. Only in 2023 did Ballesta return to power with an absolute majority.
The Question of a Successor
After the mayor's death, discussions began in Murcia about a possible successor. The most likely candidate is Deputy Mayor and Head of the Department of Development and Heritage, Rebeca Pérez, who had worked with Ballesta since 2015. Second Deputy Mayor José Guillén, a close associate of the late mayor, is also mentioned, as well as the autonomous region's finance minister Luis Alberto Marín, although the latter is not a member of the city council and cannot take office until the next elections.
Unfinished Projects and Expectations
Among Ballesta’s unfinished initiatives are the restoration of the medieval San Esteban district, the launch of a new urban transport system, and the construction of a tunnel with underground parking at Plaza Circular. Now, the fate of these projects depends on the new city administration. The issue of continuity of power in Murcia is reminiscent of how, in other regions of Spain, leadership changes often spark political debate, as was the case, for example, with the Moreno Bonilla family in Andalusia.
