The PSPV, the second socialist federation in Spain, attends the moment generated by Pedro Sánchez with a double concern. On the one hand, the closed defense of the President of the Government, to the extent that it is interpreted that his decision means facing what Diana Morant described yesterday as a “dirty war of the right and the extreme right.” Reason why the entire PSPV cried out yesterday for him to “stay and not leave.” But the moment also generates concern about the effects that a possible resignation of Sánchez could have for the complex balance of a party that has reformed its executive, and its leadership, under the direct influence of the general secretary of the PSOE. In some ways, the PSPV is more linked than ever to the steps its national leader can take.
The new PSPV, which recently held its congress in Benicàssim, is the result of a commitment by Pedro Sánchez to place people he absolutely trusts in the management of the federation, such as Diana Morant. And for containing the desires of other provincial barons who, like Alejandro Soler in Alicante or Carlos Fernández Bielsa in Valencia, aspired to the general secretary. Not only this. Also other Valencian socialists such as Sandra Gómez, probable future MEP; The Government Delegate, Pilar Bernabé or even Ximo Puig, Spain’s new ambassador to the OECD, have been the direct appointment of the leader of the PSOE. This entire structure has depended, until now, on the acceptance of the President of the Government, which has also marked, until now, the political narrative of Valencian socialism.
Because until now, the opposition of the PSPV to the executive of Carlos Mazón of the PP and Vox, has been framed in a combat between the Government and the Generalitat Valenciana, with a clear defense of Sánchez’s policies by the socialists and an attack of the Consell, precisely, to these policies. Issues such as the new Valencian Concord Law, the row over the expansion of the Alicante/Elx and Valencia airports or issues such as regional financing are part of the arguments of confrontation. With a notable participation by Pilar Bernabé (government delegate) and with a strong defense by Diana Morant of the policies of the executive of which she is a part as minister.
In the entire history of the PSPV, never has the cause/effect relationship between the decisions of the President of the Government (socialist) been so linked to the organic life of the Valencian federation. It is assumed that any step that Sánchez takes next Monday will have a direct effect, even more so if he finally announces his resignation and calls elections, with the risk that the socialists will not maintain the Government of Spain.
Sources from the PSPV acknowledged to this newspaper yesterday that a period of “great uncertainty” is beginning and that the greatest fear is that a step back from Sánchez will reopen wounds that, for some socialists, were not completely closed in the last congress.
However, those consulted believe that Sánchez’s decision can mobilize the entire progressive electorate around him, with effects even on other political formations to the left of the PSOE. Yesterday, for example, Joan Baldoví, Ombudsman of Compromís, did not hesitate to defend that “it is worth continuing to lead the Executive”, that taking a step back “is not an option” because “of course it is worth it.”
Baldoví recalled that there are already many “episodes of harassment” experienced by politicians, both in the Valencian Community, with the case of Mónica Oltra, and in Spain as a whole and in the rest of the world. “We have seen that harassment and that way of doing politics and from a personal point of view, I put myself in Sánchez’s place and I understand it.”
Another effect of Sánchez’s decision is that it has further distanced the socialists from the Valencian PP. It could be seen yesterday, with Muñoz’s harsh criticism of Carlos Mazón, whom he accused of “giving in to the extreme right” or of being “hostage to Vox.” Meanwhile, the PP did not hesitate to criticize the president’s decision, which Carlos Mazón described as a “strategy.”
Whatever Sánchez decides will have direct effects on Valencian socialism; But if she finally takes a step back, it will be necessary to observe whether the balances that the new leaderships have forged are maintained or cracks open that could make Diana Morant’s leadership difficult. We will know shortly.
