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Plans to create a separate town hall for La Manga and Cabo de Palos now have a timeline, with the association Entre Dos Mares aiming to gather all the signatures it needs by June 2027.

 

The campaign got a welcome boost on Tuesday October 6, when a signing session at the Hotel Cavanna drew far more people than organisers had expected. According to spokesperson Luis Cabello, the queue stretched from the room where the signatures were being taken right out onto the street, and some people couldn't finish before the notary had to leave. They'll get another chance on Tuesday October 20 at the same hotel.

 

"Right now, we are completely confident that people do want a town hall," Mr Cabello said.

 

The association has started in La Manga, on both the Cartagena and San Javier sides, and plans an event in Cabo de Palos before moving on to other areas.

 

Only the signatures of registered residents count officially, so the notary sessions focus on people on the census, although second-home owners and others who want to show their support can sign too. Residents of any of the villages in the plan can also visit the notary's office in Los Belones in the mornings with their ID.

 

The target is 51% support in each of the towns with more than 50 registered residents that the association wants to include, such as Playa Honda, Mar de Cristal and Islas Menores. Mr Cabello estimates that means around 8,000 signatures, and the group also hopes to gather up to 100,000 from people with ties to the area to add pressure. Around 15,000 people are registered in the territory, and the association says a feasibility study from the Polytechnic University of Cartagena found the new municipality would be viable and self-governing.

 

Once the signatures are in, the paperwork will go to the town councils, and the final decision will rest with the Governing Council of the Autonomous Community.

 

Mr Cabello expects Cartagena and San Javier to oppose the split but says relations with both remain good, and the group is considering legal action if the request fails.

 

Image: Entre Dos Mares