Arcadi Spain, the Minister of Finance and Economic Model, is set to preside this year’s political commission. The body comprises representatives from PSPV, Compromís, and Unides Podem who will steer the negotiation of the Generalitat’s 2023 budget. Botànic maintains the approach introduced last year, when a forum was created to discuss regional accounts and allocate every euro to the relevant department. This edition introduces a notable shift from the previous year, which had decided that ministers would not be integrated into the commission. That change reduced the Treasury chief’s authority, a move that temporarily diminished the scope of power he previously enjoyed.
At its Friday session, the Consell confirmed that the Spanish Minister would lead the working group—a coalition of government members empowered to hold meetings, report to the Executive plenary on progress, and, ultimately, sign off on the agreements reached within the commission. Through this arrangement, the Treasury’s head regains control over the accounts that had been ceded, now overseen by the new chair, following the appointment of Eva Martínez, Director-General of Budgets, as head of the commission.
Botànic delegates deliberation of accounts to a political commission
Spain’s alliance is monitored closely by Puig’s trusted ally within the Botanical Council. The Consell’s leadership has also assigned him one of the most significant portfolios amid the government overhaul in May. Sources describe a continued rapport between the Generalitat and its vice-president. The intricate strands of past administrations shaped the budgeting debates, with Vicen Soler and Mónica Oltra repeatedly becoming focal points in public discourse about budget preparation. In 2020, Oltra publicly accused Soler of manipulating the agreed-upon accounts to divert funds from his Equality and Inclusive Policies Ministry. Rivalry continued into the previous year, when Oltra and Soler interrupted a meeting to renegotiate budgets. Upon learning that the Treasury head would meet with Valencia’s second vice-president, Héctor Illueca of Unides Podem, to discuss the same issue, the Compromís leader canceled the session. The tension between the two persisted long enough for accounts discussions to be postponed to a court date after the deadline, and the parliamentary calendar required adjustment before the accounts could be ratified by year-end.
The budget process has remained contentious, but the seven Botànic budgets to date have encouraged a calmer tone in the deliberations. This iteration aims to lower the drama surrounding budget balancing and focus on constructive dialogue. The left-wing coalition governing the Valencian Community seeks to project unity, signaling that the 2023 budget represents the mandate’s first full year, not merely a transitional phase. The coalition members anticipate guiding policy actions ahead of elections scheduled for May next year and hope to sign a third Botànic pact thereafter.
Ministries have until next Monday to submit their spending proposals for the coming year. When the negotiating commission becomes operational, it will be represented again by two members from each party—PSPV, Compromís, and Unides Podem—allowing the forum to convene, discuss, and shape the detailed budget framework. The commission is also expected to address the tax reform unveiled by Consell chairman Ximo Puig, although the specifics remain under development.