The change of names and its rectification
The Alpedrete City Council, located in the Community of Madrid, has made the decision to rectify and restore the names of the Paco Rabal square and the Asunción Balaguer house of culture. A few weeks ago, these names were changed to ‘Plaza de España’ and ‘La Cantera’, respectively. However, after an emergency meeting, the government team formed by the Popular Party (PP) and Vox has decided to go back on this measure.
The council has explained that the name change was made with the intention of naming a road space in the municipality as ‘Plaza de España’ and another municipal space as ‘Las Canteras’, taking into account the will of the residents. However, they acknowledge that they did not know how to adequately communicate this decision and that at no time did they intend to disparage the cultural legacy of Paco Rabal and Asunción Balaguer, who are loved by both the residents of Alpedrete and the country as a whole.
In the next Governing Board, the original name of the square and the cultural center will be restored, as a sign of respect and affection towards Paco Rabal and Asunción Balaguer.
The position of Isabel Díaz Ayuso
The president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, has expressed her total disagreement with the decision of the mayor of Alpedrete to withdraw the names of Paco Rabal and Asunción Balaguer. Through her account on social network X, Ayuso has expressed her opposition to this measure and has asked the mayor to rectify what she considers a serious error.
Ayuso’s position has been supported by the national spokesperson of the PP, Borja Sémper, who has also requested an urgent rectification by the Alpedrete city council.
Reactions and concentration against the name change
The decision to change the names of Paco Rabal and Asunción Balaguer generated criticism from the Más Madrid and PSOE groups in the Madrid Assembly. In addition, dozens of residents of Alpedrete gathered in the center of the town to express their indignation and demand that this measure be reversed.
After two and a half weeks, the Alpedrete City Council has reversed its decision, thanks to popular mobilization, pressure from opposition parties and the support of prominent figures of the PP. Benito Rabal, son of Paco Rabal and Asunción Balaguer, has expressed his satisfaction with this rectification and has highlighted the triumph of reason.
Paco Rabal, a native of Águilas (Murcia), and Asunción Balaguer, from Manresa (Barcelona), were outstanding figures in the performing arts and their legacy is considered the common heritage of all Spaniards. Although they did not reside in Alpedrete, they chose this municipality as their home for several decades. Both died in 2001 and 2019, respectively.
