Stability and integrity within the government are presented as firmly in place. The executive is charged with tax reform aimed at aiding the most vulnerable, and the same approach will guide future budgets. A clear timeline is promised for formal confirmation.
This stance was part of a broader message delivered by Aitana Mas during a session in the Valencian Parliament on Thursday. It comes at a moment when the Botànic coalition, and especially one partner, Compromís, faces internal tremors. The dismissal of Mireia Molla from the Agriculture and Ecological Transition ministries sits within this context, following the prior resignation of Mónica Oltra, a longstanding Valencian figure. The political maneuvering surrounding El Salvador’s ministerial vacancy unfolds as the tripartite government negotiates the 2023 budget, the eighth budget project Valencia has pursued since assuming office in 2015. Traditionally, the budget process runs until the final moments, and this cycle is no exception. Though tensions persist, unlike earlier years, PSPV, Compromís, and Unides Podem show fewer signs of factional bleeding, with a sense of cautious unity guiding the talks. The deadline to submit accounts to the Cortes was set for October 31, yet last year’s target was not met, prompting a calendar adjustment to ensure approval before year’s end. Within Botànic, there is a shared understanding that the conclusion will eventually emerge, even if it comes at a slightly different cost. The negotiating teams and the principal coalition negotiators continued their discussions into the afternoon. While the initial terms may not reach the 9% benchmark posted for 2022, the final accounts are expected to be comprehensive and aligned with current economic realities.
Alternative
From the left, it is important to anticipate that the governing coalition will remain a solid option seven months ahead of the May 2023 elections. This point was among the arguments presented during the parliamentary debate, where the criticism of the PP under Carlos Mazón was notable, and the absence of a viable political alternative for the Valencian Community was highlighted. In contrast to two decades of conservative governance, Botànic policies have emphasized public services that address citizens’ needs, with a notable focus on the vice presidency’s role. It is public policy itself that shapes the late-stage discussions necessary to reach budget consensus.
Sources tied to the Podem-led Second Vice Presidency indicated that the final agreement had not been settled until late on Thursday afternoon. They suggested that the next budgets might diverge from prior years, given the pressures of inflation and the energy crisis, compounded by higher interest rates and reduced purchasing power now in effect through measures by the European Central Bank. For families, this translates into real difficulty in meeting rent or mortgage payments. In response, political priorities should emphasize employment, housing, welfare, and the energy transition, in line with Botànic’s recent planning sessions.
The council chair, Ximo Puig, proposed during the plenary session that the budget include a five-million-euro provision to support energy self-consumption projects.