In the Valencian Community, tensions have risen between the two principal partners of Botànic over the past two months: PSPV-PSOE and Compromís. The controversy surrounding Monica Oltra escalated to a point where the regional leadership moved apart, and Generalitat president Ximo Puig learned of the vice president’s resignation at the same moment as the public, during an official press briefing. At the same time, poll numbers have done little to calm the climate within the Valencian Government, with speculation shifting toward a possible move to the right in elections planned for next year. Against this backdrop, the third coalition partner, Unides Podem, has signaled its willingness to act as a mediator between PSPV-PSOE and Compromís. This was conveyed by Pilar Lima, the parliamentary trustee, during a meeting with Puig in Palau yesterday.
Pilar Lima promises stability to Consell president and sees Botànic strengthen with Illueca
The Podemist leader stressed the need for Botànic to remain aligned and project a stable image as Valencians approach a little more than ten months before the next electoral test. The meeting, initially scheduled for May when the president was hosting a round of trustee discussions, was delayed due to Pilar Lima testing positive for covid. In the interim, the dynamics among Botànic’s partners shifted markedly, and the relationship landscape within the council changed significantly.
regional accounts
The board of trustees from UP also focused on the budget framework, urging a constructive dialogue among Botànic’s three partners. Vice President Aitana Mas articulated a similar message in her debut as the Consell’s spokesperson last week. Crevillentina proposed reestablishing a three-party political commission to pluralistically prepare the regional accounts, a stance they had previously resisted.
After meeting with Ximo Puig, Lima stated that the president agreed on the importance of the three partners recognizing and agreeing to the regional accounts, regardless of the forum used to convene it, whether a formal commission or a different term. The focus remained on dialogue, consensus, and agreements, even when viewpoints diverged. Lima also expressed hope that the upcoming eighth Botànic budget would be expansive and socially oriented, reflecting the current economic and social challenges, such as the war in Ukraine and rising energy and raw material costs. She affirmed that Unides Podem continues to play a fundamental role in Botànic’s stability.