In a clearly pre-election climate, autonomous candidates for the presidency of Alicante and the Generalitat Valenciana gather today. Eight million distinct voices form a broad spectrum of opinion. The institutional agenda highlights representatives from the left who have openly disagreed with the reform aligned to the general concept of consent saved for the controversial latest vote in Congress yesterday. On the conservative side, the PP is seeking to shape its own profile, distinct from Vox, which was initially sidelined from today’s events.
The fiercest exchange yesterday came from the nominee who leads the Alicante and Youth Institute. Maria Teresa Perez harshly criticized Joan Baldoví for his abstention. “Even if playing politics is difficult and I personally find it weak, he has every right to remain at a distance so he does not break his habit,” she wrote on Twitter. Pérez will be in Madrid today at government-organized events for International Women’s Day and will attend the 8M Commission demonstration in the afternoon. (Source: Madrid events schedule, 8M commission)
Joan Baldoví has the right to stay at an equal distance so as not to lose his rhythm, even though engaging in politics is controversial and Pérez’s comment was shared widely. – Maria Teresa Perez (@m_tere_perez) March 7, 2023 (Social media post)
The first vice president and loyalist candidate for Alicante, More, will attend the city’s show. In the morning, the Minister of Equality will meet with women. The Official College of Social Work described the group as highly feminized and underpaid, a reality they are fighting to improve through wage justice. The minister will join the “Together we are stronger” initiative at the University of Alicante. In this context, Mas states that Compromís’ stance on the ‘only yes is yes’ law supports a law that should not remove consent from the center of the norm, but rather develop the law’s technical application. The Alicante candidate criticizes speeches that have sparked social alarm within feminist circles.
show in Alicante
The socialist figure and provincial candidate, Josephine Good, will also participate in the Alicante show. The President of Innovation and Universities begins the day in the Port with the Pier 5 launch, featuring talks and events focused on Women’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation, followed by the council’s equality declaration. The morning closes with a luncheon with women’s associations from Guardamar. The public presentation of the new headquarters for the Digital Zone in Alicante’s port will be a primary act for the Generalitat Valenciana president and candidate, Ximo Puig. Since the outset, the PSPV general secretary has argued that any harmful element in the fight against gender-based violence must be repaired.
Puig advocates major deals to secure fairer financing and water policies
Meeting
The opponent, the president of the Alicante Provincial Assembly and the PP candidate, Carlos Mazon, has a Valencia-focused agenda. He shares a morning meeting with Valencia’s mayoral candidate, Maria José Katala, addressing women entrepreneurs and professionals, before traveling to Picassent in the afternoon. Both leaders have criticized Pedro Sánchez’s government and pressed hard on issues like prisoner remissions. (Policy briefing, Valencia session)
During discussions with Mazón and Cortes in the Valencia rally on February 11, Catalá accused the Consell of avoiding the issue. “Puig did not defend women and victims. Instead of standing with those facing hardship, the Consell worries about offending partners and upsetting higher-ups.” (Political commentary, Valencia rally notes)
PP presses on with the campaign against the “yes is yes only” law
From Alicante’s citizens’ candidate José Miguel Saval, there is support for refining the norm. “Sánchez took a long time to admit it wasn’t fashionable to call it a fascist measure. Supporting changing the law means standing with women and especially survivors of sexist violence, with whom I have had the chance to work with the State Security Forces and Bodies,” Saval stated.
Vox’s Ana Vega, a Valencia Court trustee, countered that the mood remains solemn. “I am a woman every day of the year except March 8. Since Sánchez took power, women feel more insecure, more obstacles appear in work and family plans.” Attending the 8M event is not on her list because feminism does not reflect her beliefs.
In short, reform is shaping the 8M narrative, and the central fight for equality seems blurred as the campaign countdown continues.
Entrepreneurial and innovative women highlight the Digital District’s new headquarters. The Generalitat Valenciana aims to transform the Pier 5 complex in the Port of Alicante into a symbolic hub for technology and innovation. The opening day includes talks and a tour of spaces, with the 8M celebration featuring greetings to women entrepreneurs and leaders in technology and innovation.
At 11 a.m. a Women in Technology event is scheduled, featuring María José Peral, CEO of the Artificial Intelligence Institute; Itziar Pérez López of Dual Link; Noemí Mira of Bookaris; and Ana Ivars from Dinamiza Digital, among others. The noon 8M manifesto will be read, followed by remarks from Antonio Rodes, General Manager of Thematic Projects, who will highlight Sayri Arteaga, CTO of Uware, and Miquel Poch, director of Saas Support and Services Harmonic. The day closes with remarks from Generalitat President Ximo Puig. Attendees will also have the opportunity to tour the technology company fairgrounds. (Event program and organizer notes)