The plan for Ximo Puig’s succession unfolds in two stages, mirroring two round elections. The urgent task is clear: choosing a new general secretary for PSPV-PSOE and identifying the candidate best placed to challenge the popular Carlos Mazón, the president of the Generalitat, in the near future. This strategy comes from the provincial socialist leadership in Alicante and their deputy in Congress. Alejandro Soler, a figure from Elche, has this idea in mind and communicates it to his circle. He believes this method could improve chances of a deal with Minister Diana Morant, a favored option within Ferraz and supported by the so-called ximist faction.
At this stage it remains unclear how the slate will shape up, given the possibility of a third candidate in the race. Valencia state leader Carlos Fernández Bielsa is mentioned within the plan that Soler himself has outlined. For Soler, the ideal scenario would see Morant turning her attention toward a potential bid in the 2027 regional elections. It bears noting that Pedro Sánchez and the Federal Committee will convene this weekend on Galician soil with all relevant parties present to bring more clarity to the matter.
Negotiations to craft an agreement that avoids a straightforward path to the presidency could yield a different outcome from what Soler anticipates. For instance, Morant could replace Puig, a scenario with significant momentum thanks to Ferraz support. The key question is how far Soler is willing to push in the organizing realm, a pivotal role in party control. In Alicante, most socialist factions favor a preliminary vote among two or more candidates rather than rushing into deals that could complicate the years ahead. Voices from Alicante also criticize that the early stages of the party’s infighting occurred within government circles, as state leaders moved to align their supporters with state sub delegations. In the Alicante case, Soler installed his trusted ally, Juan Antonio Nieves from Elche, to replace the ximista Carlos Sánchez Heras.
A trap-laden deal ahead of the PSPV primaries
Solero is aware that Ferraz does not designate him as the preferred option. He anticipates becoming general secretary and ranking behind Morant in Pedro Sánchez’s view, though he recalls being among the first to back the current head of government when Sánchez’s rise was not yet fully underway. The PSPV administration has been postponed for the second time and is now slated for next Monday unless changes occur. These delays are read by many as an attempt to buy time in the pursuit of consensus, an aim Soler seeks to advance.
From Soler’s circle, the Elche-born former mayor feels strongly in the race to replace Puig. He uses this leverage in negotiations with Ferraz. He argues that postponing the Generalitat candidate’s selection and securing a PSPV General Secretariat agreement would be preferable to pressing Morant into a vote that could end unfavorably. The Madrid-based dialogue would frame Soler as the voice of unity in the eyes of Pedro Sánchez. He also notes that after a narrow win over Toni Francés, a ximista and official candidate, considerable work had been completed to strengthen the province, and that effort now faces opposition. His stance includes safeguarding the integrity of the provincial leadership and resisting any early withdrawal from the bid for the PSPV General Secretary. The relationship with former senator Ángel Franco, strained at times, remains a factor in the dynamics.
Meanwhile, three contenders are actively expanding their influence. Bielsa recently organized an event in Mutxamel, while Soler’s supporters argue that Bielsa has limited options and a Valencia province base roughly around 40 percent of the party’s militants. At present, no other alternatives are being seriously considered. Names such as Pilar Bernabé or Arcadi Spain have surfaced as ximista-suggested options should Morant unexpectedly resign, though these possibilities would only come into play if Morant steps away from the political scene.