The Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia (FMRM) approves its accounts with a balanced budget and reinforces its role as a direct interlocutor with the CARM, a bridge with Europe and a driver of public services.
Abanilla, May 15, 2026. The municipalities of the Region of Murcia experienced one of their most important days of the year today with the celebration of the Annual General Assembly of the Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia (FMRM). With the attendance of more than half of the region's mayors, this decision-making body met in Abanilla, hosted by its mayor, José Antonio Blasco. The choice of venue was not accidental, as Abanilla is celebrating its Jubilee Year, an event that has given the meeting an exceptional institutional and symbolic character, underscoring the ties that bind the 45 municipalities of the Region.
During the day, the vitality of a Federation that, in the last year, has managed nearly 450 meetings and working events, consolidating itself as an indispensable strategic tool for legal advice, training, political dialogue, European projects and the creation of pioneering services, has been highlighted.
Víctor Manuel López, president of the FMRM, stated that "we are a Federation that unites, defends, and transforms." The representative of the mayors of Murcia added that the FMRM is "the common home of the 45 municipalities, the necessary interlocutor with the Regional Government of Murcia (CARM), and the essential link with Europe."
Healthy accounts for the future
In economic matters, the Assembly ratified the 2025 budget settlement, characterized by a balanced budget and compliance with stability objectives. Likewise, the budget for fiscal year 2026 was approved, a financial roadmap that guarantees the institution's sustainability and allows for the development of new services aimed at improving the daily operations of municipalities.
Pioneering services: Administrative Mediation and Central Purchasing
The FMRM continues to lead the way in public administration with the announcement of new services designed to make life easier for municipalities and citizens. Among these is the launch of the Administrative Mediation Service, a pioneering initiative in the Spanish public sector. With this service, the FMRM joins the very few institutions in the country that offer this alternative dispute resolution method, avoiding litigation and streamlining administrative responses between municipalities, suppliers, and citizens.
Furthermore, within the framework of the agreements approved by the Executive Committee, a strong interest in creating a central purchasing agency has been noted. This project aims to centralize services and supplies for the member municipalities, which will allow for significant cost savings, improve procurement efficiency, and guarantee optimal service delivery conditions for all municipalities, regardless of their size.
The result of extensive work, these milestones are not the only ones achieved by the organization, since a few months ago, the FMRM also managed to become a certifying entity of the ELoGE Governance Seal granted by the Council of Europe, with which it has renewed Cartagena and Alcantarilla with this important accreditation of transparency and good governance.
The Assembly also addressed updating its statutes and improving funding for packaging waste management, demonstrating its ability to adapt to new regulatory and environmental challenges.
International success: 11 European projects to transform the Region
The FMRM's international outreach reached a new milestone today with the announcement of a new European project grant, bringing the total number of international initiatives led or supported by the Federation to 11. These projects, which range from urban sustainability and the blue economy to flood prevention and digitalization, represent a crucial source of resources and expertise for the municipalities of Murcia. "Europe is no longer a distant prospect; it's a reality we're bringing directly to our squares and streets," emphasized President Víctor Manuel López Abenza.
Marcos Ortuño's closing ceremony
The event was closed by the Regional Minister of the Presidency, Spokesperson, and Foreign Affairs of the Region of Murcia (CARM), Marcos Ortuño, who praised the FMRM's role as a necessary interlocutor. Ortuño congratulated the mayors for their commitment and reiterated that collaboration between regional and municipal administrations is key to seizing the opportunities offered by the European context and addressing the challenges of modernization.
