If there is no surprise, Sandra Gómez will replace Inmaculada Rodríguez Piñero on the European list. The movement of the current PSPV spokesperson in the city of Valencia, with the approval of Diana Morant, will have important effects on the reconfiguration of leadership of Valencian socialism, as well as on the preparation of some electoral lists in 2027. Recently, Morant became the leader of the federation, a role she exercises when her position in the Government allows it. The departure of Sandra Gómez will generate an interim period in the municipal group, similar to what has happened with the PSPV parliamentary group in Les Corts after the departure of Ximo Puig.
Few in the party doubt that the person called to replace the former PSPV candidate for mayor of Valencia will be Pilar Berbabé, a Valencian socialist who is becoming the main striker against Carlos Mazón’s executive from her position as Government Delegate. The step taken by Sandra Gómez is important, and also marks the return of Rodríguez Piñero, a woman who is recognized for her good work as an MEP in Europe. A good starting point for Sandra Gómez.
The PSPV changes the profiles that lead it, with young women but with extensive political experience. Another thing is the strategy, in a period of development, if you can say that. The political framework is imposed in the Valencian Community by the PP and Vox, and for the moment the left responds without establishing its own framework, as if they had never read Lakoff.
Governing has these advantages for the right, but in the PSPV there are many voices that point to the need to propose the model that they want to impose once the period in which Ximo Puig made federalism, anti-centralism or the defense of the “Spain of Spains” the core of his speech. Even less with respect to the almost forgotten Valencian agenda, which has almost disappeared from the priorities.
At the local level, the challenge of PSPV is enormous. The first, to become the hegemonic force of the left in the city of Valencia in the face of a Compromís that does not want to lose that advantage. Subsequently, work for a candidacy capable of aspiring to dethrone the leadership of María José Català. Sandra Gómez’s movement opens the door to Pilar Bernabé, whom many observe as one of the great hopes of Valencian socialism, not only in the city of València. At the moment, the Government delegate is the one who opposes the Valencian executive of the PP and Vox, in a succession of actions that, in some cases, should be carried out by the leader of the PSPV.
Politics is experiencing a historical period of acceleration of events. 2027 is still many years away. In a few days the Basque elections could open new paths in the coalition that supports the Government; even more so, the Catalan elections. The Europeans will arrive and will outline the relationship of forces in Spain and no one doubts that autumn can be hot for Pedro Sánchez. Everything that happens will have consequences in Valencian politics and what today are strengths of the PSPV can become weaknesses. The good news is that women, finally, become the great protagonists of Valencian socialism.
