The pre-election campaign for PSPV has begun in earnest. Yesterday, Ximo Puig was tasked with shaping a reelection message presented in a governance-focused style for the months ahead. The Valencian Socialist leader, together with all party ministers, led a coordination meeting in front of a broad audience of the organization’s top officials. The gathering was labeled a “priority” event, even as it coincided with the launch of the Fitur tourism fair.
The core message wasn’t new, but it carried weight: “continue delivering for the majority as we have so far” and “put governance at the forefront of our work.” Puig also emphasized the socialist project’s responsibility for the future of the Valencian Community and the obligation to explain what has been accomplished and what will be pursued for the people of the region.
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For Consell’s general secretary and president, the preliminary campaign can only move in one direction, granting Puig a relative edge over rival Carlos Mazón, who argues his government remains largely within the Alicante province. Puig himself chaired the first National Executive Commission session of the year in Alicante just ten days prior. The agenda mainly focused on issues like the Tagus-Segura transfer.
Even though the socialist executive’s coordination tone leaned toward a pre-campaign feel, the substance suggested progress and results from the last four years should take center stage. Regardless of interpretation, the moment a leader and reelection candidate sits at the table with all ministers, transmitting a unified image and message, signals a strategic campaign stance.
Ferraz vs Moncloa
Puig had already secured calendar dates with Ferraz’s approval months in advance. The official dates were cemented with candidacy elections planned for municipalities in September. March was seen as a turning point for compiling the lists. The aim remained clear: avoid distractions and keep a clear path to victory.
The message was reiterated whenever the PSPV secretary general was asked. In a Sunday interview with this publication, Puig declined to call what was unfolding “election mode,” asserting that he is focused on managing this period of uncertainty. It remains to be seen whether he will lead the Valencia or Castellón list as he did in the previous election.
During this cautious period, the Socialists face a divided landscape in the polls, with results suggesting that both PSOE and PP will require partners to govern or form a coalition for the time being. Any final decision from La Moncloa tends to influence Puig’s strategy, making it a critical factor in the campaign dynamics.
Minister Teresa Ribera plays a notably influential role in regions such as Vega Baja, where the PP holds a double-key constituency (Valencia Government and the Alicante Provincial Assembly); the disappointing attempts to place Elche and Alicante as national agency hubs did not help either.
More constrained schedules will follow, and Puig—an experienced politician—knows how to steer clear of clashes with government partners during tense moments. The option to revive a third Botànic remains feasible, and governance would continue to be shared, at least in the short term.