“Did Ximo Puig come or not?” The remark floated through the air in a light, ironic tone as officials gathered in the designated area to witness the mascletà. The day marked a turning point on Luceros, with the regional president stepping into the main role for the sixth day of festivities. Officials formed a long line to share a few words, while photographers stretched for the perfect frame—whether a handshake, a nod, or a deliberate stance—each moment promising its own political subtext among the attending figures.
Among those present, the scene captured the attention of a cadre of Popular Party leaders and supporters. The attendance list included names such as Javier Maroto, Luis Barcala, María José Catalá, Miguel Tellado, and Carlos Mazón, all seen in close proximity as the procession of visits unfolded. The moment underscored how party dynamics in Valencia favor a show of unity and visibility beside prominent national figures.
From the PP side, Puig faced a deliberate counter-program aimed at maintaining influence during the closing days of the festival, leveraging the stature of Alberto Núñez Feijóo as a strategic counterpart. Scheduling constraints kept Feijóo from Alicante, where his political proxy—Maroto, the spokesperson for the Regional Organization and the Senate—stepped into the spotlight to project the party’s present and future leadership.
Puig, widely recognized as a central figure in this year’s celebrations, arrived in the Alicante district ahead of the mascletà known as Florida Bonfire Portazgo. The socialist leadership, represented by Minister of Innovation Josefina Bueno and Ana Barceló, the Valencian Parliament’s governing board member, accompanied him. It was noted that two socialists were polling highest for the role of Alicante’s next mayor, the moment providing a tangible sense of how the local race might unfold. Interestingly, Puig wore a tie during this visit that had not been worn earlier in Luceros, a change suggested by advisers to project a refreshed image.
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One of the most emotive instances occurred near the fountain, where the head of the council accepted a small gift from a translator associated with Valencian refugees who had arrived in recent months. The object, carried by Puig for several minutes, symbolized a message of gratitude from a young translator’s daughter for the warm welcome extended by the Valencian Community to those displaced by conflict in their homeland.
consultants
Within Puig’s extensive entourage, the presence of regional government figures such as Gabriela Bravo, the Justice head, and Arcadi España, the Finance Minister, underscored the close alignment between the president and his top collaborators. The conversation among the inner circle hinted at the ongoing conversations about future leadership and succession, with some party members signaling readiness to assume a more prominent role when the moment arrives. The presidency’s team made efforts to keep communication open with various audiences, including radio stations broadcasting from Luceros just as the pyrotechnics began. In the mix of institutions connected to Puig, Miguel Hernández University in Elche—a key academic partner—was frequently mentioned, reflecting the bond between political leadership and regional education. The exchange of words with Juanjo Ruiz, the rector of Elche, highlighted the ongoing interplay between academia and regional governance.
As another day closed, the PP entourage led by Carlos Mazón and Luis Barcala, with Tellado and Maroto as principal assets, re-entered the public arena. The two sides —the Popular Party and the Socialists— generally avoided direct clashes, reserving their exchanges for the moment when they walked into the restricted area surrounding the mascletà for the customary greetings. The day’s conversations subtly circled around key figures such as Monica Oltra and Papi Robles of Compromís, with Àgueda Micó, the secretary general of Més Compromís, present to watch the evolving dynamics unfold.