As in recent years, Alicante’s socialist scene remains closely tied to Ángel Franco. This influence stretches beyond provincial borders and now plays a pivotal role in the broader region. The PSPV- PSOE faces a key moment as it coordinates the election of a new general secretary to succeed Ximo Puig. The former senator’s backing could prove decisive for whichever candidate wins the primaries. Alejandro Soler, the state leader, has sharpened his collaboration with Franco to maximize his control over the province after several months of visible tensions. This move stands as a strong opening gesture for the upcoming challenge. There is no early outreach described from Minister Diana Morant, the candidate supported by Ferraz.
A deal with a trap on PSPV before the primaries
At a recent gathering in A Coruña, Soler and Franco appeared unusually close, sharing a table and even the same tablecloth alongside José Luis Ábalos. For Soler, securing the loyalty of the Valencia-oriented faction aligned with the former minister remains a strategic objective. Franco was also seen in conversation with Morant on Galician soil, and given his long political arc, a switch in support cannot be ruled out should Ferraz call. The former senator’s clout in the l’Alacantí area has influence beyond Alicante, affecting Vega Baja and, to a lesser extent, l’Alcoià. These movements position Franco and Soler to steer the PSPV’s fate once again.
To close
Beyond the A Coruña visit, the growing rapprochement between Soler and Franco is evident in public events, such as the inauguration of the Government’s new sub-delegation. Last year’s public appearances and other recent events illustrate a sustained harmony between the provincial secretary and the former senator. Franco’s entry into the state committee in late 2022 followed Elche’s former mayor winning the state primaries by a slim margin over the rival aligned with the ximista faction. A related signal is that the Alicante-based shadow leadership in the Senate race supported by Franco remains a key piece of the puzzle, a maneuver that Ferraz had to approve against a prior national veto.
districts
Soler’s plan centers on solidifying the party’s base in the strongest possible way. His circle claims a commanding grip on roughly half of the militants, a share that could rise to between seventy and eighty percent with Franco’s backing. Across the seven regions where the socialists are organized, the landscape has remained largely stable since the last primaries. Soler’s strength runs through Baix Vinalopó, his core territory, and extends into Alto, Medio Vinalopó, and Marina Baixa where support is nearly unanimous. Vega Baja shows backing through an agreement with regional secretary Joaquín Hernández, while Franco’s influence is most visible in that region. The northern districts, l’Alcoià and Marina Alta, lean toward the ximista current. At the center stands l’Alacantí, the bloc controlled by Franco that represents the largest militant base. This is the critical asset Soler hopes to mobilize against Morant and Ferraz.
Between the former Elche mayor and the sitting minister lies a third potential candidate: Carlos Fernández Bielsa, the state secretary of Valencia and mayor of Mislata. Like the others, Bielsa is shuffling his cards to widen his footprint in the succession race. A possible alliance between Bielsa and Soler cannot be ruled out, with both seeking to increase influence as they build a coalition. Bielsa looks to peel away Alicante’s disaffected voters, including those who view Soler’s regional maneuvering with skepticism. A recent government appointment to a trusted ally, Juan Antonio Nieves, has added another layer to the internal power dynamics, signaling effort to rebalance influence away from ximista lines.
The pressure on Soler persists as Bielsa weighs his candidacy. A final renewal gathering is being scheduled, with discussions pointing toward a primary among three leaders who have signaled strong intent to replace Puig: Bielsa, Morant, and Soler. At present, no definitive move has been made. The Alicante base remains a focal point for integration talks within the party, reflecting the broader tensions within the Valencian branch spanning from Alicante to Valencia proper. Soler’s team accepts that integration may require a decisive final step, while Ferraz reiterates the importance of militants’ decisions. Bielsa, the Valencia state president, awaits the extraordinary congress slated for March to determine if he can present himself. It is expected that the national committee will convene next Saturday to determine the leadership’s direction, with Bielsa as one of the few who already tested the political waters during the last congress. The pattern points to a high-stakes, high-visibility contest as the PSPV navigates a potentially pivotal reorganization.