Botànic points to February as the renewal date of advisory bodies
The renewal of seats across the Valencian Community advisory bodies remains on the political agenda in the Valencian Parliament. Talks stall due to changes and inconsistencies within Ciudadanos, making broad agreements unlikely at this moment. The trend indicates that the key names for bodies such as the Consell Jurídic Consultiu and the Consell de Transparència will likely be announced closer to the electoral period rather than in the current session.
After the Board of Trustees sessions, a series of cross-statements emerged among the involved groups. The resignation of the Ciudadanos spokesperson created a dynamic where Mamen Peris clarified that she did not attend a particular appointment because the meeting had not been officially convened. Peris announced her intention to review the candidates put forward by her predecessor, Ruth Merino, while highlighting potential incompatibilities among some nominees. She emphasized that those were personal decisions made by the former trustee and that she acts within a parliamentary team, hoping the group will determine the final choices collectively.
Discussion intensified as political actors weighed renewal prospects and the distribution of positions. Maria José Catalá, representing the PP, accused the PPSV of reluctance to renew the Transparency Council and of withdrawing from the negotiating table once renewal would involve other statutory bodies within the board. Catalá argued that the CJC should focus on appointing a person who, in the PP view, should be elected unanimously by the Cortes Valencianas.
According to the PP line of reasoning, the Conseil has since 2017 appointed two members through the Cortes and four members overall, including one from Ciudadanos, another from Botànic, and a fourth suggested by the PP. The aim is to reach unanimity in these appointments, but Catalá noted that socialist voices had shown little willingness to consider PP proposals.
From the socialist side, unity, represented by Main Barcelona, rejected the insinuation that negotiations had stalled due to any party’s withdrawal. Four members of the Cortes were elected on proposals from PP, Ciudadanos, Compromís, and Unides Podem. Barceló dismissed the notion that his party had left the talks, calling it nonsense to pursue an agreement when a participant is absent, and he noted that the specific candidates were not yet known. The door for potential offers remained open, with names still unsettled and the timetable uncertain.
On the matter of the Transparency Council renewal, some suggested a prudent approach would involve requesting the resignation of Carlos Flores following news of a gender-based violence conviction attributed to him. Some trustees viewed this as a reasonable prerequisite to ensure the body’s credibility and integrity while maintaining a clear commitment to the rule of law.
From Compromís and Unides Podem, the stance was that negotiations should continue, with the group representatives indicating a readiness to engage on the necessary reforms. Pilar Lima expressed the hope that the impasse could be resolved before the end of the legislature, framing the issue as one of responsibility and democracy. The overarching tone underscored a desire for a transparent, inclusive process that reflects the electorate’s expectations for accountable governance while steering clear of unnecessary partisan gridlock. The exchanges highlighted a broader tension between urgency and due process, a balance that the coalition governments in Valencia have long sought to maintain when filling advisory posts that shape judicial and ethical oversight.
As the calendar moves toward February, the key question remains how the parties will reconcile divergent priorities and whether broad consensus can be reached for the renewal of the CJC, the Transparency Council, and other essential bodies. The outcome will likely influence the credibility of the parliamentary coalition and its ability to demonstrate stability to the public, especially in a period marked by electoral considerations and ongoing debates about governance, transparency, and the proper rotation of advisory appointments.
In summary, Botànic’s leadership is navigating a delicate path. It is advancing reforms, honoring procedural norms, and seeking a path to unanimity that secures the legitimacy of the advisory bodies while avoiding a protracted stalemate that could delay critical oversight and policy implementation. The final decisions, expected in the near term, will set the tone for how these institutions operate within the Valencian Community and how they are perceived by citizens across the region.
Attribution: Valencian Parliament