PSPV and Compromís are not alone in their bid to influence the Consell in Las Corts. As they monitor the autonomous government they’re part of, the PP and Vox will join the opposition in a mirrored plan: the same number of questions and the same duration as the left-wing groups, which view these questions as more like ceremonial gestures than real scrutiny. The focus, however, goes beyond the surface—these actions are about accountability and the mechanics of oversight in the regional executive.
Next week marks the Valencian regional parliament’s return to its ordinary general assembly, featuring a control session in Consell and the organization’s ombudsman meeting set for Tuesday. The big development is that the PP will participate in the plenary session and pose questions from its own ranks to the president of the Generalitat. Miguel Barrachina, leader of the Popular Party, plans to engage with the government as a whole, in contrast to recent years when PSPV largely refrained from challenging Ximo Puig. Barrachina asserted that the public’s demand for accountability will not be silenced.
What sparked frustration among the opposition yesterday was not merely the execution of the first question but how scrutiny would be directed at other members of the Consell. Left-leaning groups argued they should be allowed only three questions to councilors. The same framework that would apply to PP and Vox as part of the regional executive, plus the limitations the opposition faced in the previous legislature, became a point of contention. A six-group bloc was represented—three of which (Ciudadanos, Vox, and PP) were in opposition—creating a total of nine questions sought by Botànic, while the Botànic leadership approached the process sequentially.
As yesterday’s developments unfolded, tensions rose. The socialists and Valencians suggested distributing one question per group so that the eight-question total would accommodate all sides. Cortes regulations require that no group asks more than four questions, and the maximum time to discuss them is two hours and 120 minutes. On these time boundaries, the left pressed for changes that the PP and Vox rejected. The two groups insisted on the right to present three questions each, arguing for parity in how control is exercised across the coalition and opposition.
This is a debate about influence
The stance taken by PSPV and Compromís reflects a broader concern: whether the control sessions will serve their intended purpose or become routine performances. Opposition blocs and those in government will be asked to maintain equal footing, with the same number of inquiries and the same time allocations. The Valencians’ spokesman argued that control sessions should be instruments of real oversight, not theater. Among the speakers, Joan Baldoví suggested that some government concerns were treated as mere “massage” and “flower games,” a critique echoed by many who fear that essential scrutiny is being sidelined. A deputy trustee from the Socialists criticized the strategy as a tactic to mute dissent.
In response, Barrachina contended that the format mirrors Botànic while noting that the check times for questions had been extended. The Catalan Ombudsman announced a shift in the time allotted to ask and answer questions, stretching from four minutes in the last legislature to five minutes, with five minutes for both presentation and response. This change means a single question could take roughly ten minutes. With four groups in competition and three questions each, the total of twelve questions could still fit within the two-hour window. Vox, for its part, stated its intent to probe the functioning of councils rather than offer political cover, signaling a firm stance on accountability.
Overall, the proceedings underscore a pivotal moment in regional governance: a test of how robust oversight can be maintained when political dynamics shift and new rules are debated. The coming days will reveal whether the alliance between the opposition and the governing blocs yields clearer answers or more political maneuvering. A broader question remains about how voters will perceive this exchange when they evaluate the performance of their representatives in the Consell and the Generalitat.
Notes and attributions: the described parliamentary procedures, the roles of party leaders, and the time allocations reflect the public record of the session and official statements from the involved groups.