no trench
Four years of political life in Valencia have left the PSPV with a notable shift. The party, which had shown a 28 percent improvement previously, faced a challenging electoral environment that tempered expectations. The gains described as meaningful in raw percentage terms did not translate into a lasting triumph. After a long stretch in opposition, the party will relinquish control of the Generalitat, returning to a different political balance that marks a transition period rather than a victory lap. The mood inside the party’s centers reflected the broader setback: somber faces, quiet conversations, and a shared sense of disbelief among supporters who had tracked a campaign that briefly brushed against a historic high yet failed to convert that momentum into governance.
Outgoing president Ximo Puig acknowledged the defeat openly while defending the record of his administration and the integrity with which the two legislatures were steered. He spoke of leadership with dignity, claiming that the party has left its work in a state of transparency and accountability—an effort he described as completed, even as the result was not what supporters hoped for.
From the electoral perspective, the Socialists find themselves in a configuration reminiscent of earlier years, lingering near the margins of a more expansive majority. The 31 deputies that would form the group aligned with the fist symbol will sit in the Cortes for the next four years, echoing a past achievement of 33 MPs but now carrying a different weight and perception. The outcome reinforces the party’s role as a principal opposition, a position defined by the new political arithmetic rather than by a sweeping mandate.
Across the three constituencies, the PSPV climbed by roughly four points, yet remained behind the PP, which benefited from the temporary absence of other rivals in the Cortes. The party approached the 30 percent threshold in Castellón and Alicante, recording around 29 percent there, while Valencia hovered near 27.6 percent in the overall tally.
At the close of the night, Ximo Puig appeared on stage to offer thanks, admitting defeat without gloss and reflecting on the trajectory of his movement. He highlighted the party’s progress in balloting compared with the prior elections in 2015 and 2019, while conceding that the result fell short of expectations. He congratulated the PP on securing victory, choosing to frame the outcome as a call for regrouping rather than a final verdict on his own leadership.
The chair of the regional government, meanwhile, assessed eight years in office, recalling the moment when Valencia faced a crisis tied to corruption and contrasting that with the current period marked by record employment and broader improvements in public indicators. He framed this record as the government’s legacy, asserting that the coalition left office with dignity and a clean record. The narrative emphasized a sense of responsibility and a forward-looking stance rather than recrimination.
When discussing the campaign strategy, the socialist candidate defended the approach by arguing that the message focused on explaining concrete achievements and addressing perceived distortions in national policy. He stressed a commitment to a model of social majority that could present an alternative path, even if the electoral result did not validate that plan fully. The leadership, while still aligned with the fist movement, indicated a willingness to pursue broad, inclusive governance in the future.
no trench
Looking ahead, the ongoing tenant in Palau urged Valencian society to avoid divisions and to continue working for the well-being of the people. The administration signaled openness to new leadership in the socialist ranks, while noting that changes would come in due course and that no immediate changes were on the horizon. The sentiment conveyed was one of continuity with a readiness to adapt when needed, recognizing that every day brings its own shifts in political appetite.
From Puig’s perspective, serving as president was an honor that the leader publicly valued. He asserted that the moment to speak again would come, and that the party would maintain a stance of integrity, keeping focus on the people of Valencia. A nod to the enduring motivation behind public service was offered, with a quotation fromAntonio Machado cited to remind listeners that effort leaves a lasting mark even when every chapter closes.
Puig entered a campaign described as unfinished by many observers. His favorable standing in certain polls had helped the faction with a more centrist appeal, but the strategic alignment created tension with left-wing partners and limited gains from segments that previously supported Ciudadanos. The broader shift in the political landscape appeared to attract voters toward the PP and Vox, illustrating a realignment that will shape the next phase of governance in the region.