“There’s not a minute to lose.” The proposition, first voiced by PSOE Organizing Secretary Santos Cerdán and later repeated by PSPV leader Ximo Puig, was not a cliché spoken before socialist delegates to add tension to internal activities. This is the reality that the Valencian federation of fists and roses will face in the coming months. Yesterday, Puig formalized his “step back” and call for an extraordinary congress for the first quarter of 2024. At this meeting, the leader of the party “and the 2027 alternative” will be determined. “We must do this now,” the still secretary-general added.
From the moment the National Committee met until yesterday’s celebration, adjectives regarding its importance have increased even more. When that day came, the feeling was obvious long before it started. Puig had opened the door on his way out the day before. “New winds, changes, new leadership are needed,” he said at the UGT-PV event, where he shared the stage with award-winning Joan Manuel Serrat on Friday.
Yesterday, in the same environment, at the union headquarters, but in front of 233 socialist delegates, Puig verbally announced his farewell and the road map that the formation will follow from now on.
“It is time to take one step back so that the project can take two steps forward,” the socialist leader said. These will arrive almost immediately in the coming months. Puig announced the call for an extraordinary congress for the first quarter of next year. “New year, new time,” he explained. This procedure, which he has implemented so far since his election in Benidorm in November 2021 and which will also determine the new direction of the parliamentary group after the departure of Rebeca Torró, will begin to be activated in the executive tomorrow. and from Arcadi España to Government headquarters.
The intention is to go as quickly as possible because the celebration of an extraordinary congress always has certain deadlines that must be met. In fact, the executive branch will not convene this congress directly, the National Committee must convene it. Most likely, a conclave like yesterday’s will be held before the end of the year, but the only point of discussion will be the launch of the congress where Puig said “the power of the alternative will be created”. .” » with «new leadership, new teams and new strategies» by 2027.
Until that congress, Ximo Puig will be the general secretary. Thus, he will have achieved the goal he set when he was aware that he would not be able to continue as president of the Generalitat after his election defeat on 28 May. Therefore, there will be no manager. In fact, Puig announced yesterday that he would hold a summit of PSPV representatives from all institutions for January to “plan the political strategy” and membership campaign because “it is time for many people to join this project.”
The path to that congress is still unknown. All the spotlight points to Science and Universities Minister Diana Morant as the consensus figure between the current leadership of PSPV (so-called part of Ximism) and Ferraz. Yesterday, at the gates of the union headquarters, where he arrived with the Government delegate and PSPV’s current deputy general secretary Pilar Bernabé, he spoke of “the opening of a new phase” in the party but refrained from taking a position. He is expected to step forward in the coming weeks and confirm his intention to lead the party.
Morant would receive the support of Ferraz, who was represented by Cerdán yesterday. He was the guest of honor of the right-hand man of the match, Pedro Sánchez, and spoke at the beginning of the speech, which included different comments in an organic tone. The Secretary of the Organization requested “high vision, dialogue and abundant unity for the renewal process of this party.” Likewise, he added that Ferraz “will respect the decisions of the PSPV militants.”
Cross-sector alliances
Carlos Fernández Bielsa, secretary general of the state of Valencia, and Alejandro Soler, secretary general of the state of Alicante, based their interventions at the door of the committee on this call for militancy. According to sources in the room, the mayor of Mislata even claimed that “autonomy” should be protected in a speech he made behind closed doors. This is a rejection of possible impositions by the PSOE and PSPV leaderships, but this does not mean that they will fight. But this is not something to ignore.
The two state secretaries are passing on alternative candidacy options to Morant, especially the Alicante native who remains key to possible deals between the families. Soler, who could be considered a first-generation Sanchista and was well connected to Ferraz (especially Cerdán), did not close the door on aspiring to the leadership of the party. Although his speech yesterday paid tribute to Puig and his work, according to sources on the committee, the words were conditioned by context and marked by the emotionality of the farewell.
But before speaking inside, they had sent a message informing those who had arrived at the conclave. He did the first by showing his support within the provincial municipality by being surrounded by a dozen municipal officials such as Juan Antonio Sagredo, mayor of Paterna, Rafa García, mayor of Burjassot, or Toni Gaspar, former president of the State Council. . Soler surrounded it less, but held important positions, such as the mayor of Elda, Rubén Alfaro, who had a significant presence in the province, and the former edile in València, Aarón Cano, and representatives of the so-called abalismo with the mayor. Almussafes, Toni González.
Steps to appoint the new general secretary of PSPV
PSPV will have a new leader in the first quarter of 2024, but to do this he will have to follow a series of steps and comply with the deadlines set in the formation’s charter:
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The manager sets the process in motion. On Monday the current PSPV administrator will activate the procedure. That manager will be in office until the next manager is elected, so there will be no need to appoint a manager.
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A new National Committee. The executive will convene a new National Committee like yesterday. This is the highest body between congresses and is responsible for officially calling the highest conclave of cardinals. However, the law supports that the executive can make direct calls.
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Without a 60-day period. According to the statute, the convening of the PSPV National Congress requires at least 60 days. However, they add: “When special circumstances recommend calling an extraordinary National Congress (…) it will not be necessary to comply with the deadlines set.”
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Primaries before. However, before the extraordinary congress, the general secretary elected by primary election will be contacted. It usually happens two weeks before the congress. The composition of the delegates of this meeting will also be chosen by direct voting through lists.