One of the stages of the English Way Again begins in A Coruña. It covers 32 kilometers from Bruma, where only two more sections stand between travelers and the Cathedral of the Apostles. Yet for those who seek a cathartic pilgrimage, the Valencian delegation returns from the PSOE congress in the city of the Tower of Hercules almost as quickly as they arrived: primaries are planned and a fast schedule is in place. The executive approved this on Monday, without extending the two-week postponement horizon.
This afternoon’s meeting at PSPV headquarters will be about more than just setting the date for the extraordinary congress that will replace the latest gathering. Ximo Puig will be present. The moment also marks a signal of momentum in a process that has simmered for months, especially since its first appearance when the former president announced stepping back. That was December 16. Tension has grown since then, and while a primary seemed plausible at first, three candidates and a double-round format are now clearly in play.
The executive’s decision to publish deadlines for the internal process stirred internal tensions. Originally slated for January 8, the date was postponed by a week to adjust the timetable and reach consensus. Seven days later, history repeated itself. This time Ferraz intervened before the threat surfaced. Alejandro Soler is required to file his candidacy two days before the meeting. The PSOE leadership aimed for a quiet week that would not overshadow the Galicia convention, while also using it as a chance to buy time and negotiate.
“And life went on, as things went on that didn’t make much sense,” a musician’s line from a well-known song, and the event in A Coruña did not bring the internal situation any closer to resolution. At one point Pedro Sánchez pressed for an agreement among the three candidates, but that hypothetical meeting did not occur or had no effect. It seems there will be no single-candidate compromise reached through negotiation.
Photo caption: A photo of the entire PSPV delegation in A Coruña. LEVANTE-EMV
For the Valencian federation, the weekend on Galician soil was filled with a back-and-forth dinner that showcased bands, photos and alliances, with changes in the federal administration. Spain Leaves residence and assumes Transport and Mobility duties, while Susana Ros joins the Guarantee Committee. In fact, the shifts moved the tripartite path for the federation’s future forward rather than backward.
That was the core of the weekend. Carlos Fernandez Bielsa announced a refresh of the lineup on Friday. Diana Morant received confirmation from Ferraz that she would gain visibility in a forum panel, indicating a preference to lead the federation even if primaries occur, while Soler maintained his intention to run. Even Ximo Puig acknowledged yesterday that primaries would be held, saying the militants would decide in Galicia while praising PSPV as the most democratic party in Valencian society, a claim he described as historically proven in open primaries.
Five intense weeks
Puig was not alone in making statements from A Coruña. Two candidates attended as well. “The aim is to test the will in the coming weeks so the party is strong, united and the militants decide who leads,” said Carlos Fernández Bielsa, PSPV’s state leader in Valencia. His Alicante counterpart, Alejandro Soler, noted that this is the moment of the PSOE political congress and that PSPV will take center stage next. The sentiment was echoed with resolve and urgency.
The countdown begins this Monday when the manager will place all dates on the calendar. The exact date remains uncertain, but February 24 and 25 are favored for the weekend congress. March will bring together Magdalena, Fallas and Holy Week, which makes scheduling more complex and increases the likelihood of the first quarter being the target. If confirmed, there will be 33 days between the call and the congress, well under half of the 60 days typically called for by the statute.
That window tightens further if one notes that the National Committee formalized the call, possibly eliminating the need for the usual 10 regulatory days. Five weeks of urgency will unfold: submitting nominations, collecting endorsements, campaigning, and voting days for both the delegate selection and the double-round primaries that appear likely for the leadership battle. The general secretary will be key in this phase.
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This trip to the polls should occur at least a week before the congress and could line up with regional elections in Galicia, adding more weight to the PSPV internal process. The emergence of the Galician elections in the broader Spanish political landscape may be the only condition delaying the conclave weekend beyond February. The milestones around primaries and related steps could influence the timeline, given that it will coincide with an active election campaign.
Given the calendar’s pressure, departures could happen the day after the schedule is set. Before the postponement, Soler planned to present his candidacy to the executive committee on Saturday. He is expected to be the first to make a move, with further action likely to come in a double-round primary where Bielsa and Morant’s candidacies and their deal-making capacity could tip the balance in the leadership race.