PCCV today announces the person chosen to lead the Valencian Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FVMP), who will take charge at the constitutional plenary meeting scheduled for tomorrow, following the majority achieved by the party on 28 March. The party keeps the name confidential for now, but the profile appears clear: a woman from the Valencia province, likely a regional MP.
The two practical prerequisites are framed as a balance, as sources familiar with the process confirm. They observe this after presenting Carlos Mazón to the Generalitat in the conservative group. Vicen Mompó and Toni Pérez, representing the Valencia and Alicante councils, respectively, along with Marta Barrachina (President of the Castellón Provincial Council), stand as the only woman currently leading a supra-municipal institution. “Yes, a woman touches the role,” notes one source familiar with the process.
Quotas further constrain Mazón’s Alicante ties, and Mazón has already recruited several top officials for the Consell’s second phase. Consequently, as confirmed by consulted sources, the pick is expected to come from Valencia province and be a woman.
These conditions would likely prompt the Alicante mayor to step aside. Luis Barcala reportedly removes himself from the selection process.
Besides Barcala, other names such as the mayors of Torrent and Xirivella, Amparo Folgado and Paqui Bartual, were floated, though in the final hours some PPCV sources downplayed their chances.
The election of Folgado to head Valencia’s municipal council, the second largest city in the region, could be viewed as a rebuff to María José Catalá, Valencia’s mayor and former Torrent mayor, for loyalty to the party. Tensions with Folgado were noted.
On the other side, Paz Carceller’s candidate leads Puçol as mayor for a second term as of 28 March. He and Bartual are deputies in the Cortes; PPCV sources indicate the party will not force them to give up their roles if elected to head the FVMP, a precedent seen with top Consell officials.
This dynamic may boost Carceller, who has more experience in the Valencian assembly, where he previously held a seat. Bartual, however, would be venturing into the Cortes for the first time this year, and some party insiders believe the FVMP presidency could add a heavy workload.
three vice presidents
At Wednesday’s general assembly, alongside the presidency, three vice-presidential posts within the FVMP will be filled. PPCV confirms that one will be allocated to the PSPV and the process will finalize with Compromís.
It is anticipated that Miguel Bailach will participate in management. Bailach, the PPCV Organizing Regional Secretary and Massamagrell councilor, led the election process with Juan Francisco Pérez Llorca, general secretary of the Popular Valencians and Mazón’s key ally in the party.
Rubén Alfaro will become PSPV’s vice president
In addition to the presidency, the three vice-presidencies of the Valencian Federation of Municipalities and Provinces will be distributed at tomorrow’s general assembly. The PP plans to assign one seat to the PSPV and another to Compromís. The Socialists on the Board of Directors reportedly favored continuity, endorsing that the vice-presidency go to Rubén Alfaro, mayor of Elda since 2015 and leader of the FVMP during the past two terms.