Compromís, the coalition that grew under Mónica Oltra’s leadership, stood firmly behind Valencia’s vice president of the Generalitat during the toughest chapter of his political career. Oltra announced on Monday that he is under investigation at Valencia’s Court of First Instance No. 15. This announcement came as part of the legal process that led to his resignation, amid allegations that a minor under guardianship was abused and that the matter was not adequately addressed by the Ministry of Equality and Inclusive Policies, along with accusations involving Oltra’s ex-husband. The second in command of the Generalitat arrived at the City of Justice in Valencia after nine in the morning, where many Compromís officials and supporters had gathered to welcome him and show their solidarity. Messages flooded social networks in the moments that followed. Meanwhile, the head of government partner Consell, Ximo Puig, refrained from issuing judgments and underscored his respect for the judicial procedure. The main opposition party, the PP, pressed for accountability and demanded a public apology regarding the abuse cases.
Oltra yields to pressure and resigns from all positions; Aitana Mas gains influence as a potential successor
Among the twenty Compromís officials who went to offer their support and applaud him at the courthouse were regional deputy Carles Esteve, a member of the Valencia City Council’s traffic commission, Giuseppe Grezzi, the regional secretary of Public Health, Isaura Navarro, and Alberto Ibáñez, spokesperson for Venture-Settlements. The appearance of the former number two on the Valencian Government’s team at the courthouse came just days after he announced his resignation from the executive and as a district deputy. He insisted that he would not compromise the change project started in 2015. When Oltra stepped down, he was summoned to testify before the High Court of Justice of the Valencian Community on July 6 because he was eligible to join parliament at that time. After his resignation, the investigation was redirected to the court that initiated it, with a new date set for September 19.
In the case at hand, thirteen more individuals are under investigation to determine whether the ministry helped shield Oltra’s ex-husband’s sexual abuse of a minor protected by the Generalitat, offenses he had previously been convicted of and which are still being reviewed by the Supreme Court. In Oltra’s own case, alongside the Public Prosecutor, multiple special prosecutors are pursuing the victim’s rights in the abuse case involving the Spaniard Joseph Louis Robert. The Gobierna-te association and the Vox party have joined the special prosecutor’s complaint.
The current vice president of the Generalitat, MoreTaking, stepped in to fill vacancies after Oltra’s resignation and planned a visit to Altea that morning. Yet she spoke on social media in support of Oltra, saying that the truth would emerge. She posted that Oltra would testify and urged patience, adding that not all politicians are the same and hoping for an end to this nightmare. She shared a video that aligns with Oltra’s claim of being persecuted by the far right.
A photograph circulated on social media with a caption attributing it to monicaoltra, accompanied by a post from Aitana Mas on September 19, 2022.
National attorney Joan Baldoví announced that he had reached out to Oltra to reiterate support, expressing confidence that the truth would shine and that better days would come. As formal lists were being prepared, Baldoví was named as a potential spokesperson for Oltra’s candidacy for the presidency of the Generalitat should Oltra remain involved in the process. Mas was also mentioned as a potential alternative, and the Minister of Economy, Rafa Climent, voiced his support.
With that, the morning carried on. The statement from Oltra’s side emphasized confidence and respect for due process, while the public scene at the courthouse underscored the intense political dynamics at play. A public source quoted in this report reflects a broader pattern in Valencian politics, where supporters and opponents alike watch developments closely and respond through official channels and social media alike.
Meanwhile, the head of the Consell expressed what he called the utmost respect for justice on Monday. Speaking to reporters in San Sebastián, where Ciudad de la Luz presented new developments at the Gipuzkoa capital’s film festival, Puig indicated that Oltra would describe the situation in a normal way while reiterating that it is not his place to comment on the case.
Admitting mistakes
Carlos Mazón, leader of the Valencian PP, indicated that he hoped Puig would acknowledge any mistakes in safeguarding minors in the Valencian Community. He reaffirmed his full respect for the independence of judges, prosecutors, and courts during ongoing proceedings and suggested that Puig should apologize or acknowledge mistakes in child custody matters within the community. He characterized the situation as a key issue that transcends political factions and emphasized the importance of transparency in public life. The Citizens Council’s Ruth Merino criticized Botànic’s administration for making the Valencian Community the focal point of political controversy once again before Oltra appeared in court and the Alquería Trial began. She expressed regret that Valencians must witness what she described as negative headlines about the use of public resources for political gain and suggested that this legacy could be a difficult one for the Valencians to accept.
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