José Manuel Orengo, once a socialist leader and now a displaced figure connected to Baleària, announced in recent days that a political campaign must be built around a single, pivotal question. The entire electoral strategy would hinge on this question, shaping every dialogue between the hopeful and potential voters. Recognizing the underlying problem is presented as the essential, perhaps decisive, first step toward achieving victory.
As regional elections approach in the Community of Valencia, scheduled for the last Sunday of May alongside municipal ballots, the Popular Party (PP) has posed a direct, straightforward question to the public: “Do you want Sánchez out of the Government?” Carlos Mazón, the PP’s candidate for the presidency of the Generalitat, had already clarified earlier this month when Ximo Puig approved the dissolution of the Valencian Cortes, signaling a national-scale push for change. Mazón’s institutional statement suggested that altering the Spanish Government begins with changing the Generalitat; replacing Sánchez with Feijóo would require moving Puig aside first. This framing presents a seemingly simple choice—yes or no—and is designed to rally support around a binary narrative.
From Mazón’s perspective, the discourse is sharply targeted and easy to parse. A concise message can travel quickly, especially when it capitalizes on what appears to be broad dissatisfaction with the current national leadership. The Socialist Party of Valencia (PSPV) may frame the contest as a contest between Mazón and Puig, but Mazón counters that the election is really about whether Sánchez should stay in La Moncloa or be ousted, positioning the Valencian vote as a precursor to national change. “Today change begins in the Valencian Community and in Spain,” the PP leader proclaimed. The messaging resonates with those who want a change in direction in Madrid as well as in Valencia, creating a shared sense of momentum. There is a parallel with another national actor, Vox, which has also pushed a similar binary logic. Yet in the end, both sides contribute to a broader, shared outcome.
There is an acknowledged risk in polling Mazón’s supporters, notably the risk of reducing regional elections to a mere waypoint before December’s general elections. The tension is palpable when Mazón, traveling to Madrid, asserts that “the senyera will not bow to anyone because the Valencian people have their own identity.” It emphasizes Valencia as a starting point for a broader national reconfiguration, a re-conquest of sorts that would be dictated by the State rather than by regional autonomy. Critics question whether Mazón’s stance underestimates his own position, given his role as the party’s top candidate while contending with Feijóo and Puig and seeking to influence the national government.
Despite the risks, Mazón’s strategy is viewed as clever and potentially fruitful. If the PSPV runs a campaign that forces a choice between Mazón and Puig, Mazón’s tactic is to complicate the frame by asking voters to consider whom they prefer—Feijóo or Sánchez. In exploring that preference, the argument is made that disliking Sánchez should translate into support for Puig, thereby redefining the local contest in national terms.
Meanwhile, Puig’s camp faces a more intricate challenge. The question Puig must answer is whether voters believe the council under his leadership is effectively managing the Community and deserves another term. The complexity lies in a voter’s potential to respond affirmatively while still supporting a change in leadership. A green light for effective governance might coexist with a desire for political renewal, creating a nuanced balance that is not easily reconciled by a single yes or no response.
Adding to the complexity, the campaign must bridge regional concerns with Madrid-centered politics. Madrid is not merely a backdrop; it serves as a reference point for all contenders in Valencia, tying national developments to local votes. The campaign dynamics involve a web of alliances and frictions, including the roles of regional partners and national figures who influence strategy. The discussions touch on broader groups across the left and right, with ties to Compromís, Podemos, Esquerra Unida, and Vox, and the influence of Yolanda Díaz’s Sumar on national alignment. The interplay of these forces shapes expectations for December’s elections, where national government stability remains a central concern. Critics also observe how some parties leverage public sentiment through provocative messaging while others navigate internal disagreements. The question remains: which coalition or alliance will ultimately shape the direction of governance in Valencia and beyond? When debates unfold, the underlying theme is clear—a relentless focus on who should lead and how changes at the regional level relate to national power.
In this ongoing narrative, the emphasis has often centered on management and performance. Puig’s approach has emphasized steady governance and responsiveness, yet his leadership has also revealed vulnerabilities across the party. The structural challenges within his coalition are increasingly visible, inviting scrutiny about organizational coherence and policy execution. Mazón’s early campaign visuals and his candid, direct language made it easier to frame the contest around a straightforward choice, though it also risked oversimplifying a complex political landscape. The broader question remains whether the electorate will reward continuity or demand a change in leadership across both regional and national fronts. The evolving dynamics suggest that while victory may depend on a clear message, voters are balancing it with a nuanced assessment of local governance and national direction. The conversation continues as the campaign unfolds, with voters weighing the immediate implications for their region and the country as a whole. [Citation: Valencia regional politics coverage]