FEBRUARY 25, 2025 — The Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) in Marbella, Spain has proposed initiating the process to adopt an official city flag, citing historical and institutional reasons, according to the Diario Sur.
The motion, which will be presented at the next municipal plenary session, calls for a panel of experts to be formed to evaluate potential designs.
According to PSOE spokesperson Isabel Pérez, Marbella currently uses an unofficial flag consisting of various shades of blue, a design that emerged in the 1990s for political reasons and does not adhere to heraldic standards.
“In the interest of historical accuracy, we propose that the flag follow a heraldic approach, a method used by many cities, regions, and countries, including London,” Pérez stated in a Facebook post today.
As a potential design, the PSOE has suggested the flag created by heraldist Joaquín Sánchez Vázquez in 2006, featured in his publication La Heráldica de Marbella. The current municipal coat of arms is also based on Sánchez Vázquez’s interpretation of the historical decree that granted Marbella its emblem.
The motion also recommends the establishment of a technical committee of experts to review the flag proposal, with input from the local heritage association Cilniana and the city’s official chronicler, Francisco Moyano. Additionally, PSOE is requesting that the City Council formally recognize Sánchez Vázquez, who passed away in 2007, for his contributions to Marbella’s intangible heritage.
PSOE argues that, given Marbella’s long history and its designation as a city by royal decree from King Ferdinand the Catholic, it should have a standardized official flag like many other municipalities. The proposal seeks to ensure that any future flag reflects the city’s historical and cultural identity.
