Miles of billions
In l’Alfàs del Pi, the PSPV-PSOE leadership guided by Diana Morant delivered a message focused on safeguarding university autonomy, securing robust funding, and keeping the Medicine degree at the University of Alicante. The gathering also pressed to reactivate the tram link between Dénia and Oliva and announced plans to push motions in town halls urging the PP to back a spending cap that would unlock better funding for higher education priorities and regional projects. The event marked the start of a new political season for the party, aligning with a broader program that will culminate on Saturday as the party prepares for a federal congress called by Pedro Sánchez later in the year in Seville. (PSPV-PSOE)
One day after Morant met face to face with UA rector Amparo Navarro at the San Vicente campus, the PSPV leadership reinforced its stance in favor of protecting the university against the regional government’s decision led by Carlos Mazón to oppose maintaining the Medicine program at the UA. The regional socialist circle, composed of nineteen Alicante residents, anchored its position on three pillars: defending university autonomy, supporting students amid what they described as unworthy threats from Mazón that do not fit a regional presidency, and insisting that the Medicine degree remains housed at the UA. (PSPV-PSOE)
Policy aims and broader fiscal questions
The education issue was not the sole focus during the first day in l’Alfàs del Pi. The socialists urged Mazón to abandon his stance against scrapping debt for autonomous communities as proposed by the Sánchez government, a plan that would channel billions of euros to the Valencian Community. From the PSPV vantage point, Mazón’s stance appears driven by directives from Madrid that are seen as impractical, prompting a strategy to advance motions in local councils and to keep public finances high on the regional agenda. (PSPV-PSOE)
Regarding the late November congress in Seville, Morant described the Valencian federation as building a project for a federal Spain with a fairer and more transparent financing model. Beyond those aims, the PSPV intends to gain momentum for the term ahead, a period that has required adjustments after the PP and Vox coalition collapsed at the end of the previous political year. (PSPV-PSOE)
The first day in l’Alfàs del Pi also served as a gathering of the party leadership and a broader interparliamentary meeting, drawing roughly 120 party officials and leaders. The event will close on Saturday morning with an opening led by the local mayor, Vicente Arques, and the provincial secretary, Alejandro Soler, followed by a concluding address from Morant. (PSPV-PSOE)
Budget negotiations not on the table
The socialists were clear that they do not intend to negotiate the 2025 budget with the PP, counting on Vox’s weaker position to push through decisive votes. Morant noted that the opposition had always pursued constructive paths, but Mazón has made it impossible to support any of his proposals, including laws on Concord or Educational Freedom. She added that if those laws change, their position could shift. The congress for the PSPV, initially planned for before February, was postponed for later discussion. (PSPV-PSOE)