Freedom in Valencian governance and language policy: a coalition landscape

Freedom as a guiding principle for choice in Valencian governance

In the Valencian Community, a shared premise between political forces has emerged: freedom that lets people choose. Within this framework, a consensus between the PP and Vox centers on coalition governance in the region. As ministers tail the language debate, two Consell members lead their party’s stance on language use, with a focus on whether official channels should comply with the Valencian norm. Vox’s Ana Vega, a trustee on the Corts, spoke about adherence to the law while avoiding a clear declaration on whether Vox would apply the normative Valencian language in its ministries. President Carlos Mazón has urged restraint, leaving language decisions to each ministry and to regional practice, while the PP maintains that it will not compel anyone to use Valencian and that ministers should be free to speak in the language they prefer. This stance comes even as the decree mandating the Generalitat to express itself at least in Valencian remains in force and governs administrative communications.

From a policy and communications standpoint, Vox’s approach appears to target a non-regulatory use of Valencian in official materials, a move that aligns with a broader strategy some see as challenging the Valencian Language Academy’s role. Vox contends that the AVL is a political body styled as pan-Catalanist, and that its authority should be weighed against practical governance. The party notes that Valencian remains a key cultural asset, deserving protection, even as it emphasizes individual ministerial choice over formal linguistic mandates.

When pressed about recognition of the AVL, Vox asserted that it respects existing law and the current bylaws, yet clarified that it has not redefined how departments will communicate in Valencian. Mazón’s request to follow Academy rules has effectively kept the matter unsettled, with ministries not uniformly applying Valencian in their public communications.

Some ministers prefer Spanish in official channels

The governing coalition that is perceived as more permissive toward non-regulatory Valencian communication operates under what Corts president Llanos Massó described as a practical reality. Vox indicates that its stance seeks to frame language within the realm of personal opinion, rather than a fixed regulatory posture, a distinction that fuels ongoing debate about language in public life.

The Vox leadership has characterized the language dispute as artificial, arguing that Valencian and Spanish already coexist without friction until political actors intensified the quarrel. Vox representatives emphasize that Valencia’s linguistic landscape is a cultural asset, and they commit to safeguarding it. They insist that Vox will always protect Valencia’s linguistic heritage while balancing governance needs in a diverse regional context.

AVL’s designers have warned that reigniting the battle over Valencia could destabilize public discourse and governance, a concern echoed by various political actors who stress the importance of a stable, respectful approach to language policy.

PP and Vox cooperate on a nuanced language strategy

Vox’s choice to keep Valencian out of certain official communications so as not to be bound by AVL rules drew limited criticism from the government partner. Miguel Barrachina, the PP Ombudsman at the Corts, framed the issue as one about freedom and respect, suggesting that officials should be free to communicate as they see fit. He noted that the regional law requires administrations to express themselves at least in Valencian but indicated that the PP respects individual choices and does not impose language use on anyone.

Barrachina added that if ministers choose to broadcast in Spanish, that is acceptable. He pointed to past periods when ministries produced Valencian content at a high rate, saying that such diversity in practice has not sparked complaints. He also stressed personal accountability, implying that mistakes in wording should not be judged harshly by others.

In the political dialogue, there is a call to treat Valencian as a dynamic feature of regional identity rather than a rigid administrative tool. The argument centers on balancing language rights with effective governance, ensuring that public communications reflect the community’s linguistic reality without becoming a flashpoint for partisan confrontation.

Calls for equal official status of Valencian across institutions

The popular leadership pressed by Vox and other groups also targets a broader issue: ensuring that Valencian holds the same official standing as Catalan within government frameworks. Critics have accused certain education and policy actors of attempting to steer language instruction in Valencia, a move seen as part of a social engineering debate about educational directions and linguistic norms.

Opposition voices demand independence for AVL and non-partisan use

Opposition voices, including spokespeople from PSPV, have urged AVL’s independence and condemned what they call partisan demonstrations in discussions about language. They argue that Valencian should be actively used by institutions to reflect its status as a living language, and they criticize any perceived interference by political actors in the regulator that commands broad consensus among Valencians. The recent discussions between Mazón and AVL have drawn mixed reactions from the broader political spectrum, with critics urging a unified approach that respects both linguistic tradition and institutional integrity.

Joan Baldoví of Compromís criticized what he called blatant non-compliance by some ministers and recalled moments when regional leaders asserted the importance of using Valencian. He urged a practical approach that upholds the law while encouraging respectful and consistent use of the language across all public institutions. The broader sentiment emphasizes that the president of Les Corts should act as a guarantor of constitutional compliance and a promoter of inclusive language standards that reflect all Valencians.