PSPV has requested a revision to the timetable set by the PSOE Federal Committee to manage the primary processes for the 2023 municipal elections. The roadmap, crafted by the party led by Pedro Sánchez, aims to maintain voters in more municipalities, with a notable emphasis on towns exceeding 20,000 residents on the Valencia Community day of October 9. Consequently, the leadership of the Ximo Puig bloc will insist that any polling date, if scheduled, be placed before or after that holiday. The adjustment is intended to be brief and is not meant to push the process toward Ferraz’s second deadline, which envisions a distant date of December 11. As the party names its slate for pivotal local strongholds such as Alicante, Elche, and Orihuela, the possibility of further changes cannot be ruled out.
The 2023 election horizon has compelled parties to streamline their operations to run efficient campaigns. The recent defeat in Andalusia, which gave the PP its first absolute majority in the country and challenged the traditional socialist stronghold, prompted the Socialists to recalibrate their project and defend their political space. The Valencia region is viewed as a crucial battleground for Pedro Sánchez to either secure La Moncloa or challenge Alberto Núñez Feijóo. For this reason, movements are already underway to determine candidates. The overarching message is that agreements between different factions are preferred over an early start to Valencian socialist campaigning. The goal is to project unity and avoid the appearance of internal fracture, mirroring the approach seen by the People’s Party under Carlos Mazón. To date, no pre-selection has occurred in the province, and leadership renewals have occurred with broad support.
On the national socialist map, two primary focal points for nominations lie in the city of Alicante and Orihuela. In Alicante, the search for a candidate has involved figures such as the Minister of Innovation and powerful local delegates from the Cortes, who appear in the leading pools. These moves come amid turbulence within the local group following a political dispute with the spokesperson in the City Council. In Orihuela, the situation is more complex. The capital of Vega Baja is awaiting confirmation of the local organic leadership, with the initial plan calling for primaries before April 30. Ferraz subsequently allowed the date to slip to avoid clouding the party’s forward movement, ultimately resulting in the PSOE taking over the Mayoralty from the PP.
unusual scenario
Today, the mayor of Orihuela, a former councilor, remains aligned with the ximista bloc that leads the party locally. An ally of the provincial secretary general stepped forward to announce intent to participate in the process and contend for the post of secretary. It is anticipated that Gracia will seek to stay ahead in the race. This could make it unusual for the PSOE candidate to gain a council seat before primaries determine the party’s general secretary in the city. Still, the possibility is being taken seriously given the tight timelines.
In Ferraz’s original calendar, candidates for municipalities with more than 20,000 residents had to submit their documents between September 19 and 20. That underscored the approach of a new political season. The current trajectory suggests that the deadlines for Orihuela’s organic primaries are already tight, though there is room for the process to take place in August if needed.
Early mayors: seven months before the ballot box appointment
Ferraz’s timetable requires nominating candidates in larger municipalities well ahead of the May 28, 2023 elections. The idea is for a campaign mode to begin more than half a year before the vote, designed to strengthen the socialist project. Yet some circles within the Alicante socialist scene question this approach. With so much notice, concerns arise about whether incumbents will seek re-election and whether a mayor could be announced in the coming month. Source materials from party briefings and regional discussions indicate a persistent tension between speed and stability as the dates approach.