Who’s who in PSPV families?

The loss of power in the Generalitat and the formation of the new central government opens up on the horizon a process of renewal of the party leadership, currently held by the former head of the Generalitat, Ximo Puig. The current general secretary of PSPV also holds the dominant position in the party; the so-called “ximism” is not a family per se, but a union of sensibilities, including the city of Valencia (except for “abalism”), Safor. , part of the militancy of the province of Castellón, the majority of the current PSPV administration and the parliamentary group of Corts.

Diana Morant

Since 2021, the Minister of Science and Innovation has been strengthened, maintaining the trust of the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, who has extended his powers to the Universities. Morant, the former mayor of Gandia, belongs to the Safor clan, one of the main supporters of “Ximism”, and therefore there is speculation about his options to replace Ximo Puig. It is currently the PSPV’s highest political position in the central government, but although he was appointed by Pedro Sánchez, he has no organic power in the party outside of the Gandia clan and his successor José Manuel Prieto.

Pilar Bernabe

Pilar Bernabé, Government delegate since 27 June 2022, remains the institutional stronghold of the left against the power of the right, which took over the administrations of the Valencian Community after the regional elections on 28 May. Puig proposed him as deputy secretary of PSPV-PSOE, the party’s number two, the day after the general election, strengthening his organic position in this transitional phase in PSPV. Bernabé’s value is versatility as he is close to all socialist sensibilities and is very knowledgeable about the party in the city of Valencia.

Carlos Fernande Bielsa

Carlos Fernández Bielsa, mayor of Mislata and secretary general of the PSPV in the state of Valencia, heads the socialist family that has pressed the hardest to force a change in the PSPV, considering Ximo Puig’s leadership depreciated after he lost the Generalitat and failed to be elected minister. new Government. Bielsa, who has already prepared the list of deputies in the Valencia Provincial Council, has the mayors of the Valencia metropolitan area and municipal heavyweights such as Darío Moreno (Sagunt), Jordi Mayor (Cullera), Rafa García (Burjassot). ) or Juan A. Sagredo (Paterna). Bielsa also has influence in the local Castelló group.

Alejandro Soler

Congress deputy and PSPV’s general secretary in Alicante, Alejandro Soler, rallies the vast majority of the province of Alicante (including the support of the socialist factotum Ángel Franco in the provincial capital) around him after managing to prevail in 2021 regional leadership to lead the Alicante PSPV candidate, Toni Francés, mayor of Alcoi. Soler aligned himself with the “abalism” with which he joined forces in 2017 to support Pedro Sánchez against Susana Díaz to lead the PSOE. Soler also allied with Bielsa to impose his Congressional and Senate candidacies on Puig in 23-J, with Ferraz’s support.

José Luis Abalos

Minister of Development or Transport (from 2018 to 2021) and organizational secretary of the PSOE from 2017 to 2021, where he has the number of unconditional supporters (such as Mercedes Caballero, Toni González or Elisa Valía, among others) after years of organic life Like protects from the city of Valencia on PSPV. And despite the sudden loss of position in 2021, it is by the direct decision of the President of the Government Pedro Sánchez that he has rebuilt the bridges. In fact, Ábalos is registered as a member of parliament in the Congress in Madrid. The “Abalistas” may support Soler’s actions in Alicante, where Sanchismo was already complicit in the 2017 fight for general secretary.

José Benlloch

José Benlloch, mayor of Vila-real since 2011, will also play a key role in the race of socialist families to lead the PSPV after Ximo Puig. Thanks to his successive victories, Benlloch managed to gain even greater influence among the socialist mayors of the province of Castelló than Samuel Falomir, PSPV provincial secretary and mayor of l’Alcora. It has been coming to power alone or in coalition with left-wing parties since 2011. Benlloch, who is also an MP on the Castelló Provincial Council, could side with Bielsa in the fight to lead PSPV as they share a municipalist character.