A political dispute has erupted in Albanchez de Mágina, Spain, after Socialist councilors voted to move a traditional local holiday away from the dates of the town’s centuries-old Catholic celebrations.
The small agricultural municipality in Jaén, Andalusia, has roughly 900 residents and has honored its patron, Saint Francis of Paola, for more than four centuries. The annual celebrations run from May 3 through May 6 and include religious ceremonies that have long formed part of the town’s calendar.
On the night of May 3, residents traditionally participate in the Procession of the Rosary of the Torches. May 4 has been designated a local holiday because of its connection to the Saint Francis festivities.
That arrangement will change in 2027.
An absolute majority of councilors from the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party, or PSOE, approved moving the local holiday from May 4 to April 30. The decision separates the official day off from the religious celebrations held several days later.
The religious festivities themselves have not been canceled. The dispute centers on the removal of May 4 as a local holiday and the practical consequences for residents who participate in the events.
Spain’s center-right People’s Party, or PP, denounced the decision Wednesday. Local PP spokesman Mario León described the change as “unilateral, authoritarian, and without consensus.”
León accused the PSOE majority of attempting to separate the municipal festivities from their Christian origins and replace the traditional arrangement with what he called a “secular holiday weekend.”
According to the PP, the proposed calendar change had been under consideration since 2025 but was not agreed upon with opposition councilors or the Brotherhood of Saint Francis of Paola.
“The Socialist Party’s desire to move it to April 30th and completely separate it from the religious events is solely aimed at severing the festivities from the Christian faith and inventing a weekend of secular holiday,” León said.
The PP argues that changing May 4 into an ordinary working day will make it more difficult for teachers, workers and other residents to participate in the traditional religious observances.
“That is the day [May 4] that corresponds to it by history, tradition and faith, and we request that traditions not be politically instrumentalized for political purposes,” León said.
The party is demanding that the mayor reverse the decision and restore May 4 as the local holiday. It has pledged to pursue the matter further if the council refuses, saying it will do “everything necessary and knock on every door” to defend the traditional schedule.
Opposition has also emerged outside the town council.
Spanish newspaper ABC reports that approximately 350 residents have joined a citizens’ group formed to defend Albanchez de Mágina’s traditions. In a municipality of roughly 900 people, the group represents a substantial share of the local population.
Members told ABC that PSOE councilors proceeded with the change despite discussions over the issue during the previous year.
Another citizens’ group is reportedly preparing a motion seeking to annul the decision.
The dispute now centers on a clear distinction. Saint Francis of Paola will continue to be honored in early May, but the municipal holiday that traditionally accompanied those celebrations will occur on April 30 beginning next year.
The PSOE council majority has approved the new calendar. The PP and organized residents are seeking to reverse it.
Unless that effort succeeds, May 4, 2027, will be a regular working day in Albanchez de Mágina for the first time under the new arrangement, even as the town continues its longstanding celebrations honoring Saint Francis of Paola.
