Ximo Puig, the head of the Socialists in the Valencian Community, affirms that the PSPV branch in Alicante will present a strong slate of candidates capable of offering a real alternative to the current right-wing government. Ten months after the municipal elections, Alicante’s Socialists had just weathered their fifteenth internal crisis, marked by the abrupt exit of the then municipal spokesperson, Francesc Sanguino. Puig believes this situation will shape the party’s strategy ahead of the May 2023 elections, stressing that a robust candidacy and clear leadership must be put forward without delay; he signaled that this would occur in early September, describing the moment as one of heightened tension and expectation.
The named frontrunners within the Valencian Parliament’s socialist group, including Josephina Good, formerly Health Minister in Barcelona and currently overseeing Innovation, have been among the most vocal about leading the candidacy in the state capital. Yet the final lineup remains undecided. In a conversation with Europa Press, Puig reiterated that the nomination would follow Ferraz’s deadlines, all with the aim of presenting a firm alternative to the right-wing administration led by Luis Barcala of the PP.
About last week’s turmoil at Alicante City Council, Miguel Millana stepped in to replace Paco Sanguino as the socialist spokesperson. Puig framed the leadership transition as effectively closed and attributed the tensions to a focus on narrow interests at the expense of broader, communal aims. He asserted that the path forward requires collective resolve and no longing for a historical revision of past actions.
The president of the Generalitat and PSPV leader committed to ensuring that upcoming election lists would feature the strongest teams and the most capable candidates to drive a program of social democratic transformation. He reminded readers that the socialists are a party built to influence change across society, not merely to occupy positions.
When asked about potential tensions in some municipalities as lists are prepared in light of the PSOE Federal Committee’s plan to hold primary elections on October 9 in more than twenty thousand residents, Puig underscored that no personal projects should eclipse the aim of serving a broader public interest. He emphasized that the PSPV’s mission is to advance a project that speaks to the needs of the majority and not a narrow, elitist segment, with the goal of extending its reach as widely as possible.
Puig also noted that while democratic processes allow for different views and candidates, the PSPV remains focused on a project that resonates with a wide cross-section of society. He highlighted the commitment to capture the vast majority’s support without sectarian or short-term aims, stressing a governance model that embraces multiple perspectives to reflect the region’s diverse identity, including the union of Castile and Valencia as inclusive and representative of local history and culture.
On the question of returning to past projects associated with rival factions, Puig rejected any revival of those trajectories. He acknowledged the need to update strategies since 2015, while insisting that the alternative is not retreat but the consolidation of a meaningful change project. He asserted that the party’s direction should be forward-looking, strengthening a platform capable of delivering tangible results rather than dwelling on older political battles.
In evaluating public opinion, Puig cited PSPV polls as showing consistently positive results that align with recent years, while avoiding speculation about a turning point in the electorate’s preferences. He suggested that the political landscape would not suddenly shift, and that citizens were unlikely to abandon the party’s broader social goals for short-term gains.
During a national address, following restructuring within the PSOE leadership, Puig noted the integration of Valencian figures like Arcadi Spain, Diana Morant, and Patricia Blanquer into important leadership roles authorized by Ferraz. He described concerted efforts to bolster regional influence and reinforce cooperative ties with the national organization, emphasizing that shared objectives drive the alliance between regional and national levels.
Puig reiterated Pedro Sánchez’s approach to the executive’s renewed momentum, focusing on employment, economic transformation, and social justice. He framed these goals as the central mission of PSOE, arguing that the party should unite institutions to navigate the ongoing crisis and deliver progress for residents across the community and the country. He underscored that the central belief is to join forces to lift people out of hardship through coherent policy and practical governance.
When pressed about the PSPV’s internal climate after the departure of former Organizing Secretary José Luis Ábalos, Puig claimed that he has always felt supported and comfortable within the party’s dynamics, insisting that there was no sense of being overwhelmed. He recalled his collaboration with Ábalos during their shared time in office and contended that their work together extended beyond any single organizational process, maintaining a constructive approach even amidst competing viewpoints.