Errors are lessons from the past, helping to prevent repetition in the future. This is the situation surrounding PSPV-PSOE, where Minister Diana Morant was announced as the new leader in the week ending this Sunday. Four of the six general secretaries who preceded her, including Ximo Puig, Joan Lerma, Jorge Alarte, and Joan Ignasi Pla, along with other historic figures from Alicante, advise the former Gandia mayor to study the current dynamics carefully to avoid a trajectory that once left the Generalitat waiting for twenty years.
With a calmer tone and a wider temporal lens than the immediate focus on events, veteran socialists acknowledge the significance of a woman leading the federation for the first time. They view this moment as the outcome of decades of equality policies within the party, and they challenge Morant to guide the federation with resolve. After conceding to Ferraz and recognizing that she would be the sole candidate for general secretary, Morant embraced a mission to heal differences between party factions. Other contenders for the post were Alejandro Soler and Carlos Fernández Bielsa. A central challenge for Morant is to articulate an environmental-oriented vision that accommodates the federation’s diverse regional sensibilities, ensuring Alicante’s weight and identity are recognized within Valencia.
Seven months after last year’s regional elections, Morant rose to general secretary after a twelve-year tenure as leader of PSPV, eight of which were also spent as president of the regional government. Puig chose to step back, opening a new path that led Morant to the helm. The party vows to move forward with a vision that counters a history of conflict and paves the way for a stable government. The aim is clear: establish a robust alternative that can drive change by 2027.
For the former president of the Generalitat, this moment carries weight. The PSPV has learned from past missteps, including those after 1995 that led to two decades of opposition. During his tenure, the party’s central structures remained a constant theme. He returns to this point when explaining why only one of the seven general secretaries so far has come from Alicante, noting that centralism is not smart. The PSPV must present a coherent regional vision and ensure that leadership respects geographic diversity. It matters not where the secretary general sits, but that the person embodies an integrative view and a commitment to making Alicante feel included in the party’s goals.
“PSPV needs to have a consistent vision for diversity in our region.”
Puig is quoted reflecting on the importance of a cohesive regional approach and avoiding internal divisions. The long-serving former secretary general, Lerma, defends the consensus that emerged as the party prepared for recent congressional steps. He notes that the presence of three candidates is not unusual for PSPV and that there were no fundamental political differences that would threaten unity with Morant, Soler, and Bielsa.
“Morant, Soler and Bielsa did not have any political disagreements or ideological disputes that could lead to a split in the party.”
Lerma, a former general secretary, highlights how Morant’s historic ascent aligns with the party’s broader commitment to equality. Alicante’s role remains significant within the federation, even as other leaders hold major positions. The province’s influence has been expanded through figures who served as party presidents while also fulfilling other roles, reinforcing the idea that Alicante’s contributions are essential to the broader project.
Jorge Alarte, reflecting on the orderly transition, applauds what was described as an orderly process. He believes that previous primaries clarified ideological positions, but this time the focus was on uniting the party rather than division. He envisions a future where Morant can bring together a large and transformative project that includes the Alicante community, an indispensable component of social democracy.
Valencia’s leadership also sees Morant as breaking another barrier by advancing gender equality. The secretary general during his tenure notes that equality in candidacies and the gender zipper system have been foundational for the party. The milestone is seen as a step toward making PSPV a majority force in the Valencian Community and toward the prospect of a female president of the Generalitat becoming a reality. The commitment behind Morant’s leadership is viewed as a symbol of the country project that the PSPV seeks to advance.
There is a belief that the federation’s structure must reflect regional realities rather than be centralized in a single province. Alicante’s influence is seen as substantial, especially given the region’s active participation and influential membership. The party’s leadership recognizes the importance of balancing regional representation with a unified national vision. Acknowledging the value of the province’s contributions, supporters point to past leaders who managed central duties while alternating their base between Alicante and Valencia.
Jorge Alarte, who now contends that the transition occurred without tension or conflict, adds that the party’s deliberations should stay focused on advancing the common project rather than indulging in internal strife. He stresses the importance of unity, anticipating future elections and the need to balance the federation’s internal dynamics with its national responsibilities.
Joan Ignasi Pla, another former secretary general, argues that Morant’s path marks a breaking of a glass ceiling for women within the party. He emphasizes the progress made under his leadership toward gender parity in lists and the zipper system. Pla envisions a future where the PSPV aims to become the majority force in the Valencian Community and where the first female president of the Generalitat emerges. He believes Morant’s leadership best embodies the party’s country-wide project and cautions against copying structures from rival parties. A community-based and regionally attentive federation is essential, with Alicante holding a significant weight given its strong grassroots and social participation.
Alberto Pérez Ferré, a former organizing secretary, notes that the central government’s complexity has left only one realistic candidate to lead the party. Gandia, Morant’s birthplace, is cited as a vital training ground for socialists. He also laments a history of Valencian centralism, acknowledging that leadership has often formed around Valencia’s political core, even when candidates hail from other provinces.
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He chairs and leads the party now, with a four-year tenure guiding him. Diego Maciá from Elche views Soler and Bielsa as sharing most of the same project, and he remains optimistic about having a woman at the helm. He notes that while there are several regional interests, progress is possible with a united approach that respects Alicante’s weight in the federation. The current president will hold the role until the party’s congress in Castellón, Benicàssim, in late March, after which Soler will take over. The new general secretary is described as practical and capable, someone who can approach the broader geography with a clear perspective and without dragging the baggage of older party life.
Juan Pascual Azorín, former mayor of Elda and a former PSPV president, weighs in with a pragmatic assessment of past leadership. He notes that Morant’s generation brings both youthful energy and experience as a mayor and minister, reinforcing the idea that Alicante has a robust representation within the party. He hopes Elche’s Soler will properly value the province’s weight as the new administration unfolds.
“It is important to have a balanced participation among militants”
Antonio Mira-Perceval, a former deputy general secretary, suggests that Morant’s leadership signals a balanced approach. Even as he steps away from daily party life, he underscores the significance of a female general secretary and the importance of shared responsibility across regions to ensure a solid executive.
Juana Serna, a PSPV president, praises Morant’s scientific and innovative background. Her arrival is described as a historical moment that will guide the party away from past mistakes and toward unity and forward momentum for future generations. The emphasis remains on a leadership that can steer the party toward a stronger, more inclusive future.