Since his arrival at the Palau de la Generalitat seven years ago, Ximo Puig has been a central figure under his team’s leadership. The administration has pushed a clear priority: to reorganize and decentralize the Valencian Community, translating Madrid’s reforms into regional action. A notable example is the plan to transform the Digital District into a magnetic hub for the digital economy, along with establishing the headquarters of the Innovation department in Alicante for the first time in the region’s self-government history. While maintaining a brisk provincial schedule, Puig’s government is now taking steps to boost visibility and reinforce leadership in a region where the PP remains a strong political shield. Yet, following a recent cabinet reshuffle, his rhetoric has felt less forceful. Alicante has seen a reduced footprint in Consell, dropping from five ministers to three, and the share of senior roles tied to the province has not improved in two years, a source of unease in business circles and among some party factions. Some argue that Ana Barceló’s appointment as a PSPV-PSOE trustee does not fully offset legal setbacks. The executive and the legislature remain two distinct arenas.
Ana Barceló becomes PSPV’s trustee and Josefina Bueno takes over the Ministry of Innovation
After the latest cabinet crisis, Alicante found itself with a single Alicante-based councillor in Botànic’s socialist administration: with the new head of Innovation, Universities, Science and the Digital Society, Josefina Bueno, succeeding Carolina Pascual and Ana Barceló. Of the twelve members who form the Regional Government, only three are local to the region: Josefina Bueno herself, plus Mireia Mollà and Rafa Climent, representing the Compromís quota. Botànic II began with five ministers from the province, among them the second vice president Rubén Martínez Dalmau, who announced his resignation at the end of August and will enter the final year of the legislature with just three ministers.
Puig is preparing further changes in the near term. Some moves are expected to affect the remaining vacancies after the remodel and could alter another portfolio. For now, it is clear that changes are coming. Rebeca Torró is moving from the Regional Secretariat for Sustainable Economy to the Ministry of Land Policy, Public Works and Mobility; Raquel Tamarit is moving to Autonomous Culture and Sports as Education Minister; and Xelo Angulo will move to the General Directorate for Cooperation, set to occupy the seat left vacant in the Valencian Parliament after Manolo Mata’s departure.
Regional Policy Minister Rebeca Torró: from a ministry post to a seat in Consell de Puig
Beyond the possible second-step changes in the coming days, the province has not fared well in the early rounds of top officials’ movements. The Consell’s organizational chart currently lists around 140 posts, from undersecretaries to regional secretaries and directorates general, but only twenty of these are from Alicante, most at the level of general directors. Only two of the twelve undersecretaries hail from Alicante, Verónica López and Rafa Briet. Similarly, just three representatives from the province remain among the 27 regional secretariats that constitute Generalitat’s structure: Carmen Beviá in Universities and Research, Toñi Serna in Cooperation and Democratic Quality, and Inmaculada Orozco in Regional Policy, Urbanism and Landscape.
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The Presidency lineup features twenty senior appointments, including four notable figures; Zulima Pérez heads Social Dialogue Coordination, Ana Berenguer guides Analysis and Public Policy, Herick Campos oversees Tourism, and Pere Rostoll manages Informational Relationships. This position has not been integrated into the Manager’s organizational chart after Antonio Torres left Elche as Director-General of Relations with the Courts in February to lead the City of Arts and Sciences. Ana Domínguez, the deputy general secretary of the PSPV-PSOE, succeeded him.
Observers will watch step two and the Alicante share closely. Some socialist circles in Alicante are already maneuvering to secure a suitable role for Francesc Sanguino, the municipal spokesperson for Alicante City Council, in the second-tier posts, a move aimed at calming factions and preparing for municipal elections next year.
Opening and handover of portfolio to new Minister of Innovation
The Palau de la Generalitat will host the swearing-in of Consell’s new members first thing Monday morning. At 9:30 a.m., the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, will visit Mislata with Consell president Ximo Puig. In the afternoon, Alicante and the Digital District stage the handover of the portfolio, with the new Regional Minister for Innovation, Universities, Science and Digital Society, Josefina Bueno, expected to participate. The President of the Generalitat is also anticipated to attend.