In a fresh development tied to the Spanish Government, Botànic expands its footprint with another appointment connected to Compromís. Irene Gavidia, who previously served as the regional secretary for Primary Care and Social Services, first under Mónica Oltra and later with Aitana Mas, is set to become the next director general of the Institute for the Elderly and Social Services (Imserso).
Gavidia, a Valencia-educated social work graduate and a longtime Initiative activist, is expected to join the central leadership team of the Ministry of Social Rights and the 2030 Agenda. This ministry is led by Pablo Bustinduy, a figure selected from the Sumar quota. While the official Council of Ministers confirmation was not issued yesterday, sources within the ministry indicate the appointment is imminent and will be formalized in the near term.
The incoming Imserso chief is a veteran of Initiative, having served as an organizational technician in 2016. Although Initiative is a component of Compromís, there are indications that Valencian leadership would have preferred a degree of independence for the role. Party insiders say the Valencian coalition did not orchestrate a direct bid for this position, and so far has opted not to participate in executive structures, aligning with other Sumar-aligned groups that chose different paths. The appointment, therefore, appears to reflect broader national coalition dynamics rather than a purely regional agreement.
Gavidia’s mandate is structured to begin in the near term and will be fully operative next week, positioning her to engage directly with policies affecting the Valencian Community. Imserso has historically routed a portion of its programming to the Community, where the Consell has cultivated longstanding relationships. This alignment is not without its contentious history, as regional stakeholders have occasionally clashed over priorities in social care and elder services. Prior to this appointment, Gavidia gained governance experience as the Generalitat’s regional secretary from 2019 to 2023, a tenure noted by ministry officials for its focus on social justice. They describe her professional and personal trajectory as deeply committed to empowering caregivers, improving support for those receiving care, and advancing inclusive social policies that translate into tangible benefits for people at the community level.