The political race for Santa Eulària des Riu is beginning to take shape ahead of the May 2027 municipal elections, with Socialist councillor Víctor Torres Pérez announcing his decision to enter the PSOE's primary process to become the party's candidate for mayor.

Torres, currently a PSOE councillor on the Consell de Ibiza and secretary general of the Socialist organisation in Santa Eulària, made his candidacy public on September 3.

His announcement comes just as the Federación Socialista de Ibiza (FSE-PSOE) begins its formal process for selecting candidates for the 2027 elections.

Torres Enters the PSOE Primary Process

Torres says he is taking the step with what he describes as “responsibility and enthusiasm,” with the aim of building a Socialist project capable of bringing together the party's membership in Santa Eulària.

His stated objective is to win the confidence of residents in the 2027 municipal election.

The announcement comes shortly after the FSE-PSOE opened its primary timetable for the Consell and the municipalities of Ibiza Town, Santa Eulària and Sant Josep. Precandidacies can be submitted from September 4 to September 7.

If more than one candidate meets the requirements, the PSOE's internal voting process is scheduled to take place later in September.

Housing and the Future of the Municipality

One of the main themes of Torres' proposal is housing and the ability of local residents to continue living in Santa Eulària.

He argues that the municipality needs to reconsider its development model and address the difficulties residents face when trying to establish their lives there.

Torres has criticised what he describes as years of speculation, unlimited growth and policies that have prioritised the interests of a small number of people.

His stated aim is to put residents and families at the centre of future municipal policy.

“A Place to Live”

Torres has said he wants Santa Eulària to be a municipality where people can live, work and build their future.

His campaign message focuses particularly on ensuring that residents are not forced to leave because they cannot afford to live in the municipality.

He has also argued that Santa Eulària should be treated as a place to live rather than simply as a product for investors.

Housing affordability has become one of the most important political issues across Ibiza, with high property prices and rents creating challenges for residents and workers.

A Focus on Public Services

Alongside housing, Torres has placed emphasis on the Socialist Party's traditional focus on public services and equality of opportunity.

He says the PSOE has experience and capacity to offer an alternative approach to the current municipal model.

His proposal is centred on what he describes as a commitment to public services, equal opportunities and ensuring that local residents remain at the heart of municipal decision-making.

Bringing the Local PSOE Together

Another important element of Torres' announcement is his focus on the Socialist organisation itself.

He says he wants to lead a project in which different members of the local party have a place and which can bring the Socialist family in Santa Eulària together around a common objective.

The emphasis on unity comes as the party begins its internal selection process for the 2027 elections.

Whether Torres faces another candidate in the primary will become clearer once the formal period for submitting precandidacies closes.

Who Is Víctor Torres?

Víctor Torres Pérez was born in 1972 and lives in es Puig d'en Valls.

He is a Técnico Deportivo Superior and began his institutional political career in 2019, when he became a councillor in the PSOE group at the Consell de Ibiza.

He remains a member of the Consell and currently serves as deputy spokesperson for the Socialist group.

Within the party, Torres is secretary general of the Agrupación Socialista de Santa Eulària des Riu and also serves as secretary for Mobility and Environment within the Federación Socialista de Ibiza.

An Early Step Towards 2027

The announcement is one of the first signs of the local political campaign taking shape ahead of next year's municipal elections.

Torres joins Vicent Roselló, who has also announced his candidacy for the PSOE primary in Sant Josep, as the Socialist party begins selecting its candidates for several major Ibiza municipalities.

The PSOE's primary process will determine who ultimately leads its electoral lists in the municipalities where more than one candidate comes forward.

For Santa Eulària, the next important date is the close of the precandidacy period on September 7.

What Comes Next?

If Torres is the only valid candidate for the Santa Eulària PSOE nomination, a contested primary would not be necessary.

If additional candidates enter the process and meet the party's requirements, Socialist members will vote to determine who becomes the candidate.

The current timetable sets the first round of voting for September 26 where a contested process is required.

For now, Víctor Torres has formally put his name forward, with housing, public services and the future development of Santa Eulària among the central themes of his proposed political project.

The 2027 municipal election is still months away, but the selection of candidates has now officially begun.