The Valencian federation of the PSOE was the one that most overwhelmingly positioned itself in favor of the pacts for the investiture of Pedro Sánchez. The PSPV mobilized its membership in the internal consultation organized by Ferraz and 10,885 militants (92.72%) gave their support to the already re-elected President of the Government. The secretary general, Ximo Puig, dedicated himself to the consultation and even organized an event with José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to remind his people of the importance of the consultation.
Now, the Valencian federation hopes that Sánchez, after his agreements with the Basques (PNV and Bildu), Catalans (ERC and Junts), Galicians (BNG) and the Canary Islands (CC), will take into account the second of the federations with the highest census of militants – only behind Andalusia – in the configuration of their government. “Valencian ministers have to be appointed,” said an authoritative voice from the PSPV.
Expectation is maximum in the ranks of the Valencian socialists, as there are many who believe that the configuration of the future government will mark the future of the PSPV, which is in a situation of certain impasse after losing the regional elections and the most important city councils in the region. Valencian Community.
The sources consulted by this newspaper do not dare to predict which Valencian ministers Sánchez will appoint for his new executive. “That’s only in the president’s head, there are rumors, but everything is open,” they agree. There are two names that resonate the most: that of the former president of the Generalitat, Ximo Puig, and that of the current Minister of Science and Technology. “Although Sánchez always gives surprises,” they point out in the PSPV.
The federation management recognizes that it would be “magnificent” for Puig to access a ministerial portfolio. They consider that the profile of the man who was head of the Consell until last June – a federalist vision, convinced of dialogue with the nationalists and an authoritative voice of peripheral Spain – would fit perfectly in the current political situation. Puig, as a senator, has followed the entire investiture session from the seats of the Lower House.
However, no one dares to throw the bells into the air. Some believe that if Sánchez trusts Puig, a portfolio will strengthen him in order to pilot the transition that the PSPV will experience in the next congress next year. According to socialist calculations, the internal conclave to elect the new secretary general would be held in November 2024.
Another name appears in this equation: that of the current Minister of Science and Universities (she was also the head of the list in the general elections for the province of Valencia), Diana Morant. A leader of the PSPV points out that if the former mayor of Gandia repeats, “she will have many numbers in becoming the future general secretary of the Valencian socialists.” They believe that Sánchez can very clearly mark the future of the PSPV with the configuration of the new government and channel the organic renewals that are pending in each territory.
“We cannot forget that the PSOE has lost the majority of its autonomy and now Sánchez’s power is absolute; it will be difficult for anyone to oppose his will,” says this same source.
In this puzzle we will have to see how the growing figure of the Government delegate in the Valencian Community, Pilar Bernabé, to whom Puig has given organic stripes and who has become one of the counterpowers to the autonomous government of PP and Vox, also fits. .
However, those less close to Puig consider that whatever happens, the future of the PSPV is open because among many militants there is a feeling that “it is necessary to build a new project after the loss of the Generalitat and the majority of municipalities.” . They are aware that the former Valencian president will want to influence his succession, but they insist that Puig does not have organic control, since in both Alicante and Valencia the provincial leadership is not under his control. A circumstance that can lead the PSPV into a new organic battle for power.
