With slightly less than a year remaining before the 2023 elections, political options are beginning to position themselves for renewed candidacies. The upcoming votes in the region are shaping up as a turning point for Ciudadanos (Cs), a party facing a fragile moment in national politics. The Valencian landscape remains volatile, and opinions diverge on the best path forward. The regional coordinator of Cs in the Valencian Community publicly denies any plan to form a pact with the People’s Party (PP), yet dissent within the ranks is surfacing, becoming a matter of public debate. That stance was echoed by the state coordinator this Monday in statements to the media, signaling a push for dialogue to explore potential collaborations, a move that could redefine alliances in the lead-up to the elections.
Despite unfavorable polling, many observers concede that Cs is unlikely to repeat its 2019 performance, when it stood as the third force in the Valencian Parliament with 18 seats. In that year, Cs trailed the PP, which captured 19 seats and also secured influential roles in its provincial assemblies and in key city administrations such as Alicante and Orihuela. Today, the party acknowledges that matching that level of influence under current circumstances would be extremely ambitious. Instead, they are prioritizing strategies to maximize representation by considering alternative coalitions and electoral models. Javier Gutierrez argues that the party must remain open to avenues that can preserve and grow its influence, while noting that any potential alliances with the PP are not a settled matter and must consider internal sensitivities within Cs.
Citizens refuse to form coalition with PP for 2023 elections in Valencian Community
Gutiérrez, a councilor in Xixona and a legislator in the regional assembly, publicly disputes the narrative from Cs’ regional coordinator. The current moment, he states, calls for a broad discussion among Cs members rather than definitive regional pronouncements. The real decisions, he implies, will be made at the national level, not in the Valencian field. This stance highlights that the party’s debate on coalitions remains alive, especially in Alicante, where Cs holds a substantial portion of its regional power.
From Alicante, the party advocates creating space for dialogue to build the necessary momentum for the next elections and to secure stronger representation. Exploring possible coalitions is on the table, with aims to adapt successful models such as Cs-PP collaborations in the Diputación de Alicante or in the city council of the capital. The idea is to maintain a clear path that honors Cs values of transparency and good governance. This call from the provincial coordinator seeks to ensure the continuity of the Cs brand and its leadership at the regional level, stressing that national bodies will ultimately guide final decisions, not regional officers alone.
Meanwhile, Cs leaders in Alicante emphasize that forming strategic lines with the PP could help stabilize a party facing decline, even as the regional coordinator presents a firmer line by insisting on the PP’s past failures to deliver dominance. What remains unsaid is that the Cs leadership will be judged by voters in upcoming elections, and that public support will determine whether a coalition approach gains traction. Both sides acknowledge a shared risk: a campaign in danger of fading if Cs loses influence and relevance in the community.
Gutiérrez intensifies calls for accountability in Orihuela
Javier Gutiérrez, the Cs coordinator for the region, pressed once more for a decisive move on the no-confidence vote planned for Orihuela next Monday. In the capital and Vega Baja, five Cs councilors have joined forces with the PSOE and Cambiemos allied groups to challenge the PP’s Mayoralty. The arrangement places Cs councilors in government alongside Socialists, while the Pact cedes leadership to the Socialist bloc. The maneuver occurred without formal approval from Cs leadership, and although Gutiérrez announced a dossier that could trigger disciplinary measures, no formal action has yet been taken by the party leadership. He warned that any leniency toward Orihuela councilors could shape future guidelines if party discipline is not maintained and national directions are not followed.