The former president of the Valencia Provincial Council, the former socialist Jorge Rodríguez, holds in his hand the key to the governance of the only great institution that the PSPV and Compromís could preserve after the bad result of 28-M. Mayor of Ontinyent with his La Vall Ens Uneix party, announced last week that his provincial deputy would vote for herself. The deadline expires on Friday. If there is no agreement with the PSPV, the PP could take over the Valencia Provincial Council and consolidate its hegemony in the Valencian institutions. The interview was not conducted in person.
Why has the agreement with the PSPV to govern the Diputación de València not been possible?
As I explained the other day, since the 28-M elections, even before, we have observed that the PSPV leadership does not want Carlos Fernández Bielsa to be president of the Provincial Council. And it’s not just that they haven’t asked for a public apology, which doesn’t matter now, but that they haven’t left Bielsa or agreed with us on municipal governments in Villalonga or Atzeneta, for example.
What does La Vall Ens Uneix require to reach this agreement and keep the institution in the hands of progressive forces?
We have a clear position: vote for Natàlia Enguix as president, who is a progressive and feminist person, who knows the council perfectly.
If his position of voting for his candidate is maintained, it could be the case that the PP wins the Provincial Council as it is the force with the most votes. Is it a likely scenario?
We are an independent formation whose only obedience is the interests of Ontinyent and Vall d’Albaida and our red line is not to have pacts with the extreme right. The stage is open and governs the candidacy that is capable of bringing together a majority. If you want a truly progressive government, here we are.
Is yours a revenge against the PSPV? What is personal and what is political in his position?
That is what some want it to look like to question our position. Our approaches are political and have to do with the dignity and confidence that the PSPV-PSOE right now is unable to offer.
Was the PSPV unfair to you after your arrest?
It is something that is part of the ignominy that will always persecute the Valencian socialist leaders of the moment. I only care about the people of Ontinyent and Vall d’Albaida and their verdict has been forceful. You only have to see the electoral result.
Do you have, as the Socialists believe, a pact with the PP?
We have talked publicly with the PP as with the PSPV and Compromís. We are a transparent party and government.
Do you think Compromís will support your candidate?
It’s in your hand.
What is the future of La Vall in the medium and long term?
We aspire to be the voice of all those who flee from sectarianism and have their own criteria. It is healthy to raise your voice above the big parties. We, thanks to Ens Uneix, live in a healthy political reality and far from the toxic discourses of the apparatuses, which instead of generating illusion are dedicated to generating fear of free opinions.
Would you reconsider going back to the PSPV? What if there was a change of leadership?
We are very comfortable and proud to have achieved a game that responds to the desires and hopes of a territory as authentic as that of Ontinyent and Vall d’Albaida. I think that from the provincial capitals, both Valencia and Alicante, they have not yet realized how fed up the regions are with their centralism and arrogance. That is why we think that we are in the political project that is most similar to the Valencians.
