Survival guides have common advice when faced with the possibility of encountering a bear in the woods: stay still. PSPV-PSOE does not have a loose bear in the congress processes, but the council can still serve to prevent (verbal) attacks from other contestants. Taking the first step can also produce the same results. That’s why no one makes any extra moves. Everyone rushes and looks around, waiting for the remaining prospects to show their cards, and then the leadership game can begin to be played.
There are two possible candidates for secretary general pursuing this course of action: PSPV leader Carlos Fernández Bielsa in the state of Valencia and his counterpart Alejandro Soler in the state of Alicante. Sources around the mayor of Mislata send the same message to those around the leader of Elche, calling for “patience”. Similarly, sources close to Bielsa assure us that other candidates are in the “contemplation” process until after Christmas, with the expectation that they will also take action.
Particular attention focuses on the name chosen and discussed between Ximo Puig and Ferraz: Minister Diana Morant. However, the former mayor of Gandia has not yet confirmed whether he will choose to lead the Valencian federation. It seems certain that he will do this, because the movements seen in recent weeks with the presence of PSOE Organizing Secretary Santos Cerdán in Valencia and Alicante, and therefore the consent of Pedro Sánchez, point to this. However, at the moment, it has neither shown its will nor announced any forward steps.
“Compatible”
In fact, not even Puig himself or close leaders such as José Muñoz, Secretary of the Organization and recently elected Ombudsman in the Cortes, say that Morant will be the future leader of the party. When asked about this issue yesterday, Munoz declined to comment on whether it was appropriate to serve as secretary general of the party while holding a ministerial and representative position in the Spanish Government.
“It is compliant on a legal level,” Muñoz said, adding that he would not evaluate the situation further because everything would be interpreted as support (or not) for the former mayor of Gandia. A day earlier, Puig assured Morant that he was a “very valuable” person and would be a good candidate, but added: “Just like everyone else.”
There are constant rumors about whether a unity candidacy that would avoid primaries could be floated around him. This is the desire expressed by sources from the current regional administration and from sections of the party that have influence in Castellón, and this is where the underground conversations are directed. These also serve to gauge strength and test possible support for taking future steps.
Negotiations to obtain a “harmony” candidacy are also influenced by the mantra that it may remain a name imposed by Ferraz. The rejection of the state structure that determines the future of the Federation is an issue reiterated especially by the provincial directorates of Valencia and Alicante. But it’s not just him. They also point out from the so-called Ximism circle, whose leader is about to leave, that “the PSPV militancy will be the one to decide.”
“Intense” Christmas
The militants of the Valencian federation will vote yes or no on an extraordinary congress that will elect delegates who will at least attend the conclave where Puig’s successor will be chosen. However, if more than one candidate exceeds the required endorsements to participate in the process, primaries would have to be held several weeks before the convention, scheduled for the last weekend of February or the first day of March.
What is certain is that a “busy Christmas” is expected, as one of the participants in these contact tours put it. Depending on how these develop, possible alliances will emerge. All eyes are particularly on Soler, who is well-connected in Ferraz, clearly in tune with what abalism is, and who might agree with either of the other two leading sectors (the Bielsa sector or the so-called xism that Morant may represent). candidacy to head the organization or hold an important position in the structure.
The head of the organization claimed yesterday that he was working to “hold a unity congress” and assured that there was a “possibility of this happening”. Muñoz asked Consell de PP and Vox to focus on “building the alternative.” But he noted that “the personal wishes of each were completely legitimate.”