All factions within the socialist ranks are aware that they will ultimately follow Ferraz’s direction, and they seem to be waiting for the next move. The national committee in Galicia looms, and the pressing question is whether Pedro Sánchez will push Morant’s candidacy or allow the Valencian Community to shape the outcome first. Soler remains confident in the region two years after his decisive primary victory. The name-xplorer Toni Frances continues to maneuver quietly, even as he keeps stirring internal changes. In this climate, calls for a primary contest gain momentum. Proponents argue a primary would be preferable to Morant sharing votes with Soler while the general secretary and Bielsa press for their share. A senior socialist from Alicante voices the frustration: this cannot be a perpetual handoff, with four advisers on one side and three on the other. Politics demands a more balanced approach.
Movements
Before the most visible phase of internal strife began, strategic shifts appeared inside government sub-delegations. This kind of rearrangement draws heavy criticism from many sectors of PSPV. This week, Alicante saw the first change, with a new manager installed after just six months, replacing the respected “ximista” Carlos Sánchez. Juan Antonio Nieves, a younger figure who resembles Soler, stepped in. The provincial secretary has already unleashed his first moves ahead of the congress timetable’s announcement. The pattern crosses provincial borders, as Bielsa followed with his own changes this year. Valencia considered replacing Raquel Ibáñez with José Rodríguez Jurado. Within kalelon, the same dynamics surfaced around Soledad Ten and Antonia García Valls. The rationale offered for Nieves’s appointment in Alicante centered on necessity and a broader renewal of leadership, as if it were a directive from Pedro Sánchez’s circle. In Castellón, officials argued that a more expansive political profile was sought. Across the board, a motive appears to be a drive for renewal.
Even with Soler’s perceived strength, other voices within PSPV warn that his support may not reach the level required to maintain a cohesive leadership, and there is fragmentation among regions. Critics contend that under Ximo Puig’s leadership there may not be a breakout comparable to Carlos Sánchez’s rise within the Government Sub- delegation. Those who foresee trouble for the socialist footprint in the state also recall figures like Manolo Mata, a former deputy secretary general tasked with maintaining order within the party. The landscape suggests that internal balance remains fragile and decisions could tip the scales at any moment.
Another variable is the Galicia election, which injects strategic importance into Ferraz’s calculus. The prevailing sense in the state is that Ferraz might be willing to gamble in Galicia, hoping to gain momentum at the ballot box there. A weakened PP in Galicia could open a path for Sánchez to leverage influence in Madrid through Alberto Núñez Feijóo. Conversely, in Valencian Community elections scheduled for 2027 unless unforeseen events occur, Ferraz appears determined to shield the party from a disruptive internal clash and push for a smooth succession under Puig. This is where Morant’s chances gain traction, though it remains unclear what concessions Soler might demand and how far the Elche-born candidate will press the machinery.
Supporters
Advocates for holding primaries in the region argue that PSPV possesses robust mechanisms to accommodate multiple candidates and present a range of alternatives. They point to earlier provincial primaries where Soler and Frances, and Alicante’s municipal contest on May 28, featuring Ana Barceló and María José Adsuar as notable figures, did not leave deep wounds that would hamper unity later. The refrain is that this is not a return to the old party structure or to a single dominant era; people and procedures have evolved. A prominent socialist also notes that political tempos and personnel have shifted, signaling a new chapter for the organization.
The familiar chess game gains renewed energy as recent visits by the PSOE Organizing Secretary Santos Cerdán signal fresh dynamics in the community. Three potential candidates—Morant, Soler, and Bielsa—now feel they have a credible path to becoming the next general secretary of PSPV. Whether an agreement will be reached before a vote or if a primary will be indispensable remains to be seen. The only certainty is that Ferraz’s influence will eventually set the course, whichever route is chosen.