It was a day marked by Diana Morant’s official inauguration and Ximo Puig’s formal farewell. Yet attendees at the PSPV extraordinary congress in Benicàssim were keen to hear how María Jesús Montero, the first vice president and finance minister, would address regional funding, a central demand of the Comunitat Valenciana. It was one of the events many people whispered about that day.
Montero, though she saved the topic for the closing moments of her remarks, acknowledged the need for a new funding model, noting that the current one has expired for a decade. She pointed the spotlight at the PP. “The funding model Penalizes this community. The new model must look to the Mediterranean so this land receives the resources it needs. You heard me, and I think it is right to challenge the Ministry of Finance for reform. But I want to be clear: we are prepared to discuss the model, provided the PP presents a unified stance,” the minister stated during the first official day of the PSPV congress in Benicàssim, where Diana Morant was officially proclaimed as the new secretary general of the Valencian federation.
The deputy prime minister also noted that the party had lamented that the conservatives did not bring a concrete funding proposal to the recent Córdoba meeting, where leaders like Mazón signed a declaration outlining strategic lines for Spain’s future. “Mazón must explain why he offered a cautious approach to the financing model in Córdoba. The PP cannot deliver one speech here, another in Madrid, and another in Andalusia. My commitment with Diana is to foster a climate of dialogue,” Montero criticized in response to a recurring theme in the speeches by invited unions and by Ximo Puig, during his final address as PSPV leader. “We will talk about fiscal rules, hopefully Europe allows it.” In a postscript to her remarks, she referred to the Congress president Jordi Mayor, mayor of Cullera, who had urged local authorities to suspend the spending rule to access remaining funds, calling it a civic plea from the municipal level.
Earlier, Puig reminded attendees of one of the central debts the central government owed to Valencia. In his farewell speech, the former president referenced the long-awaited reform of the funding system, addressing Montero with a direct message during his presence at the congress: “We have a small issue pending,” he joked before shifting to the topic, “We will never stop demanding a fair funding, but we have never been closer than now. We have always had support from the government; they did not let us fall down.” He underscored a core demand for the PSPV: “We need funding that is fair, but that requires agreed terms. What is the model? We will defend a space where all citizens have equal opportunities.”
In a later speech, Montero criticized Mazón for his alleged limited influence within the PP for not pushing a stronger proposal that serves Valencia’s interests. She also reproached the regional head for his alliance with the far right: “It is unacceptable to begin months of government with Mazón allied to far-right forces. Women live in greater fear when such forces advance because visibility, empowerment, and power are at stake. The LGTBI communities are also concerned because they face persecution. Mazón will sacrifice what is needed to stay in power at the palace; workers and women’s rights are at risk.”
Montero did not limit her critique to regional funding. She reflected on the recent past of the PSPV through Puig and on the future now led by Diana Morant. “Puig carried out an extraordinary administration in a very complex moment. With our joint project we can push forward, especially with Puig now engaged in the OECD, an institution that aims to prevent a world divided by two speeds,” she said, highlighting Puig’s values and principles in his work with Spain and Valencia. She praised Morant’s colleagues in the Council of Ministers and described her as capable, honest, sensitive, courageous, and deeply committed. “I share with Diana meetings of the Council of Ministers and know her sense of responsibility to the extreme. She is an integrator who understands that the priority is the community. A talented woman ready to serve Valencians. I am excited that the next president of the Generalitat will be one of us, and I expect her to lead with energy.”
Montero also commented on the party’s ongoing evolution after more than a decade of Puig’s leadership. “This is not an ordinary congress. This federation matters for our country because it embraces diversity, respects differences, and defends the common project without surrendering the gains of the collective.” She added that she appreciates the Valencian socialist movement as a sea and a melting pot of cultures, and that it should continue to accept differences while still giving every person a rightful place in history, not being sidelined by power from Madrid. Yet she cautioned that the party must stay vibrant, with strong ties to citizens even when governing is challenging. “The party must be more active than ever. When in power we can connect with citizens, but it is hard to sustain that balance in opposition. The party must have deep reach through officials and militants, and we will ensure the government in Valencia remains a short pause in our shared project.”
The discussion also touched on a national issue, namely the case surrounding Isabel Díaz Ayuso and the business affairs of her partner, with Montero drawing a comparison to the PSOE’s handling of a different controversy. She noted that the Ayuso circle seemed to benefit from the pandemic, while the PSOE acted rapidly and transparently, even when dealing with compromised figures. She implied that the PP often clings to conspiracy theories when caught, whereas the PSOE emphasizes accountability and cooperation. Montero called out Mazón and Feijóo for what she described as a silent complicity, questioning why they hide from public debate. Her message was clear: when opponents avoid debate, the public’s trust erodes, while the PSOE maintains a stance of openness and collaboration with the institutions of the state. She closed by underscoring that, in her view, power should come from the people, not from a single capital city, and that Spain is more than Madrid.
In sum, Montero’s remarks covered the broader national agenda and highlighted the party’s renewal process. She tied Valencia’s local successes to a wider reform drive, urging unity, accountability, and a sustained push for a fairer, more inclusive funding framework across all regions. The discourse underscored the political strategy of aligning regional demands with national priorities while maintaining a assertive stance on governance and rights. The congress thus set the stage for a renewed PS PV leadership and a continuing dialogue on fiscal policy and regional autonomy, with Valencia positioned as a key reference point in the national debate. [Citation: Valencia regional congress coverage].
Inspired by the eight years of Botànic governance, Montero argued that Valencia’s policies have served as a model for others, citing the reversal of privatizations in health care such as the Valencia Hospital in Alzira. She praised the focus on education, health, housing, and care services, and celebrated Morant’s leadership as a future pillar of the regional administration. She saluted Morant as a capable and principled partner in government and emphasized the broader significance of Valencian values in a country moving toward a more inclusive political landscape. [Citation: Botànic policy reflections].
Montero’s speech also highlighted the party’s call for a more vibrant internal life. She urged greater engagement by public officials and activists, insisting that the PSPV must keep citizen contact a daily priority. She expressed confidence in Morant’s capability to lead a stable and forward-looking administration, while insisting that the coalition must remain dynamic and responsive to the needs of ordinary people. [Citation: PSPV renewal notes].
Ayuso’s presence in the broader discussion provided a stark contrast as Montero addressed how national leadership and regional strategies intersected. The minister linked accountability with political courage, reminding audiences that transparency and collaboration are essential to garner public trust. The remarks reinforced a belief in a robust, inclusive agenda that transcends regional boundaries while remaining faithful to the needs and aspirations of Valencia and the Valencian people. [Citation: national politics context].