“Big ideas” are needed to forge a fairer, better Spain and to modernize its constitutional text for greater functional diversity and broader equality across regions. These are the core messages voiced by the President of the Generalitat Valenciana, as he marked Constitution Day. Addressing a room of attendees who value peace over the clashes of past wars, Puig urged movements away from nostalgia and toward inclusive solutions that reduce human cost. The call was clear: practical answers are needed now, not more rhetoric about old conflicts.
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Alicante once again served as the backdrop for the president to deliver Constitution Day remarks at the facilities of the Mediterranean House. The meeting brought together the remaining autonomous government leaders to participate in the Generalitat’s ceremony, honoring distinctions in defending constitutional rights and freedoms. The discussion reflected Puig’s ongoing push for reform of the Magna Carta, a point he raises repeatedly in pursuit of greater empowerment for regional self-government. This emphasis aims to address persistent budget constraints faced by the Valencian Community at large and, in particular, the province of Alicante, as well as concerns about the uneven distribution of water resources that affect the area.
Puig calls for strengthening of autonomous State and applauds financing reform
Two longstanding goals featured prominently in Puig’s speech: advancing the decentralization of state functions and reforming regional funding mechanisms. The Consell president has consistently advocated a stronger, more autonomous framework for Spain’s regions. His visit highlights the Valencian Community’s visible engagement with national policy debates, including public sector decentralization and the distribution of resources. The discussion touched on a current issue: the national government’s recent decision to locate the headquarters of artificial intelligence and space agencies in other cities, such as A Coruña and Seville, rather than in Alicante or Elche, prompting reflections on regional competition and talent retention.
Council
Over two hundred guests and senior council members attended, and Puig underscored the steady work carried out by autonomous communities to uphold Spain’s constitutional order and to heal long-standing regional tensions. He argued that the Constitution should be refined to reflect today’s realities, calling for ongoing political dialogue and consensus. The aim is to reduce polarization that has become more visible in various national and regional parliaments, including the Congress of Deputies and the Valencian Parliament, where increasingly sharp and polarized rhetoric has taken root.