New Direction in Valencian Podemos Sets the Agenda
Podemos’ leadership convened for the first time in a fresh phase following the citizens’ assembly that chose its primary candidates in January. This new Valencian Citizens Council has the mandate to elect a refreshed executive board, known as the Coordinating Council, which will steer the party’s daily work. Maria Teresa Perez, elected general coordinator, appointed Pau Vivas as number two and designated a provincial spokesperson from each area to strengthen the party’s field presence and delve into the unique needs of every region.
These regional spokespeople include former state deputy Marisa Saavedra representing Castellón, Carlos Monsonís, the new secretary for circles and participation in Valencia, and Natalia Jerez, the current council member for San Vicente del Raspeig in Alicante, who will also assume the role of Secretary for Institutional Action and Speech.
To complete the leadership team, Agustín Pérez, a former councilor in Alzira who stood as a rival to the coordination, will head Education and Universities. The other coordination candidate, Arantxa Torres, has declined any responsibility for the moment after an invitation to join the integration process led by Maria Teresa Perez.
Priorities: Housing at the Forefront
In a political report issued by the Coordinator, participation from party members was welcomed while three core issues central to Valencian concerns were highlighted: access to housing, protests from the agricultural sector, and social rights setbacks observed in policies backed by the ruling parties. The report also calls attention to broader regional issues raised by Madrid and its political allies that affect equality and social welfare.
Regarding the challenge of attaining decent housing, the leadership pointed out that the Valencian Community has seen one of the sharpest increases in rental prices over the past year, with rises reaching around 21 percent. The message was clear: there is a need to hold the government accountable to existing housing laws and mobilize broad civil society, including tenants’ unions, to push for intervention in what is described as an increasingly inhumane housing market.
On the protests affecting local farmers, the coordinator emphasized that solutions should come from more efficient and sustainable water management, defending regional sovereignty within Spain and Europe against large agribusiness interests, and ensuring food security. A key demand was made for the national leadership to enforce the Law on the Food Chain, which includes prohibiting losses in sales to prevent predatory pricing and enable Valencian farmers and ranchers to compete fairly. The goal is to curb the excessive influence of market predators who undermine local producers.
In parallel, the coordinator announced upcoming actions aimed at defending rural livelihoods and ensuring that regulatory frameworks protect essential agriculture while supporting sustainable practices. These measures are intended to reinforce a message of economic autonomy while safeguarding the security and sustainability of the regional food supply.
Palestine Solidarity and Beyond
The coordinator also announced a mass mobilization on a forthcoming date to join a demonstration calling for an end to what was described as genocidal violence affecting the Palestinian population. The stance was consistent with a broader critique of national political groups for prioritizing optics over decisive action in resisting ongoing atrocities.
Finally, the coordinator invited party members to participate in events planned to mark International Women’s Day. Activities range from a workshop on banners for the demonstration to a panel with the association Valencia és refugi, focusing on gender impacts within the European Migration and Asylum Pact. The new leadership pledged to devote all efforts to strengthening leftist action outwardly to restore public trust and to intensify internal training. The aim is to reestablish a transformative Valencian left that is unafraid to name those responsible for inequality, to speak uncomfortable truths, and to pursue deep, meaningful change rather than cosmetic adjustments.
These commitments signal a renewed push to empower grassroots participation, sharpen policy debates, and build a coherent strategy for social justice across the Valencian landscape. The leadership team intends to translate these commitments into concrete programs that resonate with residents, workers, and families while maintaining a principled stance on equality, democracy, and collective rights. The party continues to emphasize transparent governance, active citizen engagement, and a clear-eyed approach to the challenges facing the region and the wider European context. [Source: Valencian Podemos internal statements]