In Alicante, a public rally marked the entry of Diana Morant as the sole candidate for the General Secretary position within PSPV, amid a gathering that underscored unity across the Valencian Socialist Party. The setting was the General Secretariat of PSPV, where Morant presented her plan to lead the party in a critical moment for Valencian socialism and the broader regional landscape.
Morant faced a room that both welcomed and reflected on the potential consolidation of leadership around her, with attention to the roles played by Alejandro Soler, the provincial general secretary, and other key members who had once considered different candidates. The event, hosted at the headquarters in Alicante, saw Soler and the municipal spokesperson Ana Barceló present as pivotal figures who had supported Morant within the province. Angel Franco, another central actor in Alicante’s socialist circle, also participated, contributing to the sense of unity among supporters who had previously been divergent. The atmosphere suggested a concerted effort to present a single front, with both Soler and Bielsa endorsing the idea of a unified candidacy that could present a strong, cohesive voice for the General Secretaryship.
Morant arrived with evident support, walking arm in arm with allies while facing a room filled with militants and public officials from across the province. The audience spanned large cities to smaller towns, from Xàbia to Catral, with attendees from Alcolea and Elda illustrating the regional reach of Morant’s appeal. The scene highlighted a collective commitment to regional autonomy within the party and a shared confidence in Morant as the figure capable of guiding the PSOE through upcoming political challenges. The unity in attendance reflected a broader strategy to reinforce Morant as the central figure in a pivotal shift for the Valencian socialist movement.
Miguel Millana, the general secretary of the Alicante socialist branch, opened the rally with a speech that linked Morant to the future of the party. He described her as someone who embodies the values and direction that the organization seeks, expressing a belief that her leadership would help Alicante remain connected to the broader regional trajectory. Soler then spoke about the importance of harmonizing voices within the party, urging that the organization unite behind a single candidate for General Secretary. He noted that this moment marked the first significant transition for the Community’s PSOE in a phase defined by unity and renewal. In his remarks, Morant was praised as a leader capable of guiding the party toward regaining the Generalitat administration, with the belief that her leadership would energize local efforts and reinforce regional confidence in the party’s program.
Morant acknowledged the essential value of agreement with both Soler and Bielsa to present a unified front. She framed the consolidation as a necessary response to wider political challenges, including a government coalition on the regional level that posed a consistent test for PSOE members in the area. Her remarks touched on the broader aim of countering right wing and far right movements that had recently returned to influence within regional institutions. Morant stressed the importance of her generation stepping up to respond to these developments, and she highlighted the historical lineage of socialist women whose contributions she sees as guiding forces for the future. She also invoked figures from national and local history, emphasizing the ongoing contribution of women to the regional political narrative and signaling a commitment to leading with both experience and resolve.
The event carried a symbolic moment as several participants wore badges bearing a target motif, a nod to Morant’s candidacy. Ana Barceló joined others in publicly endorsing the effort, presenting a substantial bloc of endorsements from militants within Alicante’s socialist leadership. Sources close to Barceló suggested that the backing came from a genuine sense of personal support rather than external influence, reinforcing the perception of Morant as a candidate who could unite the party across diverse factions. During the rally, Morant quoted verses associated with the Valencian poet Miguel Hernández, a gesture that resonated with attendees and was acknowledged by family members present, including the poet’s daughter-in-law, Lucia Izquierdo. The moment reinforced the cultural ties that often accompany regional political events and helped to frame Morant’s leadership within a broader sense of cultural identity and regional pride.