What was meant to be the near-final control session for the Generalitat President unfolded under a flood of data and sharp political exchanges. Ximo Puig faced a frontal critique from the PP on the Bejís train incident amid ongoing fires this summer. Despite the heated dialogue between the Minister for Regional Policy, the Valencia regional leadership and its ministers held to the scripted line, addressing questions with a steady rhythm and clear lines of defense. Rebeca Torres and Miguel Barrachina, the PP’s aides, engaged with the session as the line 9 Alicante Tram topic emerged in the discussion.
The public trustee, Maria José Catalá, opened the question period and asserted that the president had given a full, forthright first response. Catalá argued that the chair of Consell did not reply to all the issues raised in the Chamber, and especially not to the most controversial points. She recalled the Azud case, the Oltra case, and the Bejís-related matters to emphasize perceived gaps in accountability.
Puig noted that voters wanted a return to the past, but that move did not have the support of Valencians. He criticized political leadership for vulgarity and warned about a troubling dependence on government at its worst, suggesting a shift toward the extreme right as a real risk that the region cannot afford.
Catalá highlighted the issue of being ignored, describing it as a recurring annoyance that mirrors dismissive responses at other pivotal moments. Her remarks referenced calls to alert authorities about fires, a notification from the mayor of Barracas, and alerts from a prevention unit. She argued that placing the lives of 49 people at risk merited scrutiny of data, apologies, and accountability from Puig, and she demanded an explanation about why a train that should not have departed from Valencia had not been stopped in time.
The President countered that the Bejís incident was a distinct event, and that the Consell always faced catastrophes head-on, remaining visible at the scene and supporting security forces and those affected. He contrasted this with past administrations, noting that those governments did not always show that same level of presence. Puig urged memory and accountability, stating that there must be a sense of shame if promises are not kept. He recalled meeting with subway crash victims in 2015, a gesture he framed as a contrast to what he described as a lack of remorse from some prior administrations.
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Catalá cited a Civil Guard report claiming there was enough time to implement safety measures for rail traffic during the Bejís fire. She clarified that she was not a protection technician on that day and emphasized that alarms could have been sounded as people went home at 3 pm, since payments had not been issued yet.
Line 9 Alicante-Dénia
Popular members demanded the resignation or removal of the Minister of Justice, Gabriela Bravo. They warned that the train was at risk due to insufficient information, while the train’s operator referred to earlier explanations. The exchange grew tense as Barrachina linked the Bejís episode to broader global problems, to which Toro replied with a firm defense of the official narrative. The debate touched on the Line 9 tram connecting Alicante to Dénia, with claims that PP trains could not cross certain bridges. PSPV rebutted that claim, arguing the bridges were not modernized and recalling investments made after a decades-long neglect of infrastructure.
Torró, seated with PP supporters, was interrupted multiple times by the Cortes president’s orders. Enric Morerato, Miguel Barrachina, Juan Carlos Caballero, and Jose Juan Zaplana were among those who pushed for stricter procedural control as the session heated up.