BACK IN CHARGE

ORIHUELA council will almost certainly continue to be led by the Partido Popular and mayor, Emilio Bascuñana, despite losing two seats in Sunday´s local elections.   The PP, amidst local divisions concerning the mayor, still topped the poll, but will have to renew their previous coalition with the centrist Ciudadanos party, who boosted their representation from three to five.   The PSOE remain the second largest party, but dropped two councillors to a total of six, whilst an alliance between Cambiebos Orihuela, Podemos, and the coastal CLARO party netted three seats.   A first time entry for the far-right Vox party saw two representatives elected.