Amparo Piquer, new general secretary of Més Compromís (majority party of the Compromís coalition) receives La Vanguardia at the party’s headquarters in Valencia. A headquarters that, by the way, they may have to leave given that the last municipal and regional elections lost a large part of their power (and their income). Piquer has the challenge of adapting the party to the new political situation after eight years in the Generalitat government and of defining where the coalition is going and what its relationship with Sumar looks like; all this, in the middle of an investiture process.
What are the main challenges and objectives that you set as the top leader of Més Compromís?
I am convinced that it is necessary to work to oppose the worst Consell and also build an alternative to return to the Government of the Generalitat. That is the main objective: political Valencianism and dignity have to return to the institutions. Internally, after the elections, side by side with the groups, we have to increase territorial implementation and reach more municipalities. Our task must be focused on the project reaching more territories in the Valencian Country.
We understand that next year there will be a congress at Més Compromís. Will you run for general secretary?
I am at the party’s disposal. Now I have been entrusted with a responsibility and I have accepted it without hesitation. When the time comes, I will once again be available to the organization, as I have always been to take on any challenge.
We can deduce from his words that it is a ‘yes’…
We will see how the months progress, but I am at the party’s disposal.
For years, there has been talk of consolidating Compromís beyond an electoral coalition, but the final step has not been taken. What is the roadmap? Where should Compromís go?
Compromís has been a key instrument in the Valencian political landscape, we have set the agenda and implemented transformative policies. We have shown ourselves to Valencian society as an option that has been up to the task both in the opposition and in the Government. Now, we are in a moment of rethinking ourselves. Més Compromís has to hold its congress because its statutes state so to make a more open, participatory party and be able to reach the Valencian social majority. We have to do self-criticism and rearm ourselves to improve Compromís. I think it is a good time to rethink what we do in Compromís, it has to be a calm debate and in the company of local and regional groups that already function in a unitary manner.
And what would your proposal be?
I think the federation of parties is the solution that is most agreed upon at the moment. But it is something that needs to be talked about. I think it’s time to create a federation.
And in this context, how is the relationship with Sumar?
The relationship with Sumar has been based from the beginning on horizontality and respect for the autonomy of each organization. The negotiations have always been bilateral. The relationship with them will continue like this. Compromís will have its own profile in Madrid and will defend Valencian interests.
How do you imagine the regional elections of 2027? Would Compromís be presented? Do you commit to Sumar? Separately?
The answer is very clear to me, Compromís would be presented.
And Sumar wouldn’t show up?
Yes, we have spoken with them that we would not compete electorally. This is what we are betting on: Compromís represents the left, feminism and environmentalism in the Valencian Country.
Are you in favor of creating a new space with Sumar, with Esquerra Unida and with what may remain of Podemos?
At the beginning of the year we began an opening process at Compromís. We aspire to represent the social majority of the Valencian Country. Of course, Compromís is a house that accommodates all people who want to support left-wing, environmentalist and feminist Valencianism. However, we will work to maintain our space and structure. Our bet is to carry out the opening process from Compromís.
In view of the investiture, there has been talk of the Canary Islands agenda, the Basque one and also the Catalan one, but not the Valencian one, since the votes of the Compromís deputies for Pedro Sánchez are taken for granted. Has Compromís lost power of influence?
First the failed investiture of Alberto Nuñez Feijóo has to happen and, then, that of Sánchez will come. The game board is very tight, all votes count and we will make our two deputies count. We know what we are going to Congress for and that is to convey the Valencian demands and issues such as financing, investments or civil law will be on the negotiating table. The vote is very close, the necessary balances will have to be made, but we will bet on the Valencian agenda.
The previous legislature reached an agreement with the PSOE for the investiture of Pedro Sánchez with promises such as financing reform, which did not occur. If the same thing happened this time, would Compromís be willing not to vote on laws proposed by the Government and to withdraw its support?
We are going to work so that the agreements are fulfilled. The financing system is crucial and for the investiture we will put it on the table, as well as the need for a leveling fund to compensate the worst-financed autonomies until the model or the historical debt is renewed. Funding will be a condition of the vote.
If Sánchez’s eventual investiture comes to fruition, does Compromís aspire to have a voice in the future Government?
What we are clear about is that we want to influence that Government. Not so much occupying chairs for the sake of it, but rather occupying spaces that might interest us Valencians to have the capacity for political action. We do not want to appear, but to influence.
What does Compromís think of a hypothetical amnesty law? Would you support it?
The right tried to take political advantage of what was happening in Catalonia and judicialized the problem. For us that was a mistake. We believe that the amnesty law can contribute to solving the Catalan political problem.
In a Valencian key, do you see options to reach specific agreements with the government of Carlos Mazón?
To begin with, the regional government is being a representation of malpractice. He is being a chaotic, irresponsible Executive and very little up to par. An example is the beginning of the school year, with the Minister of Education giving excuses in the chaos of the awards to teachers or the problems with school buses. Thus, at first, it is not easy to build any bridge to reach agreements with a PP that also governs with the extreme right. Another thing would be some specific issue that could improve the lives of Valencians.
Could that specific issue be the renewal of the statutory bodies?
If that comes we would talk about it, but it is not with the PP that we want to reach agreements.
But they did receive help from the PP to have representation in the Mesa de les Corts.
It’s a way of interpreting it. There are four parties in the parliamentary arc and the overwhelming logic is that all four parliamentary groups are represented.
