Denia City Council clashes over new prostitution ordinance

The municipal plenary in Denia approved a draft ordinance aimed at eradicating prostitution and human trafficking. The proposal, backed by the governing coalition and the People’s Party, would strip penalties from women and focus sanctions on clients, pimps and collaborators, while banning any municipal permits for the activity in private premises.

The session turned contentious as Vox councilor Félix Redondo attacked the measure as political posturing, invoking national scandals and demanding harsher penalties and more police resources. Councilor of Equality Javier Scotto defended the ordinance, accusing Vox of smearing local debate with unrelated allegations. Mayor Rafa Carrió ultimately intervened to restore order. The same plenary also approved measures to improve beach services, maintain the historic castle, revise tourism policy, and address urban‑planning issues, including the immediate repair of water‑pumping stations (lavapiés) that had been out of service.

Council spokesperson Mario Vidal warned that the new sanctions might simply push the activity underground and called for studying regulation models from Germany, the Netherlands or New Zealand. The session also saw the installation of new air‑conditioning after previous meetings were hampered by heat.