Losses continue for the Poble Valencià Initiative, one of the three pillars of Compromís, alongside the governing bloc Més and Equo verds. This week, several high-profile departures have shaken the party: València councilor Sergi Campillo, former València councilor Lluïsa Notario, and former senior officials Dani Mestre and José de Lamo announced their resignations due to disagreements with the leadership.
Today, Helena Ferrando, a former regional secretary and one of the founders of the party, along with Mercé Martínez, a former general manager, sent letters to the Provincial Initiative stating their decision to resign from the Ministry of Equality and Inclusive Policies in the latest parliamentary term. Those leaving education will remain loyal to Compromís but will not continue as members of any of the three parties that compose the coalition.
In her letter, Ferrando expresses sadness but emphasizes the need for courage, stating that the moment has arrived to accept that her chapter has closed. She explains she must work for a collective project and for the public good. She describes the organization as a strong, leftist Valencian, environmentalist, and feminist force with agile operations capable of coordinating activities across the groups effectively and consistently. She notes ongoing tensions over programmatic and ideological differences, particularly around how responsibilities and quotas are distributed, which have not been resolved.
Ferrando adds that no matter how much attempts are made to hide disagreements, the internal debate about distributing partisan positions within the institutions where they operate is not transparent to citizens and could undermine the credibility and prestige built up over time. Sergi Campillo’s letter reportedly confirms a firm stance during these discussions.
We are heading towards a federation of parties
Ferrando argues that the solution for the current political cycle is to move forward with a federation of parties or a stable framework similar to what was decided at the previous Initiative congress. She believes this approach is the key. The goal, she clarifies, is not to reopen a debate about myriad ideas, but to explain why progress has stalled and why she no longer sees herself willing to work within the current arrangement. She emphasizes her willingness to serve Compromís as a whole and expresses, with a clear intent, that she will resign from the Initiative membership. Those who align with Compromís are viewed as the best route to strengthening Compromís as the sole viable project and a major organizational force.
Conflict over the appointment of the regional senator
Internal disputes within the Compromís coalition have been ongoing for months. Since July, the coalition’s framework has been frozen, with the Initiative breaking from partner groups within Compromís after Enric Morera of Més was chosen as regional senator instead of Carles Mulet, who has served two terms.
The Initiative claimed that the position should have belonged to them, while Més argued that, with two deputies in Congress (Àgueda Micó from Més and Alberto Ibáñez from the Initiative), the Senate seat should go to the coalition’s majority party. This disagreement sparked tensions and anger within the Initiative, contributing to the sense of disintegration around Mónica Oltra’s party and the broader coalition. The situation highlighted how leadership disputes can ripple through a political alliance, affecting public perception and the coalition’s stability.
As the internal disputes persist, observers note that the leadership dynamics within the coalition are under increased scrutiny. The evolving alliance structure raises questions about future collaborations and the optimal model for presenting a united front in regional and national politics.