Budget discussions in Valencia signal a shift in control as the Generalitat Valenciana expects tighter oversight of Cortes activities next year. The Botànic alliance composed of PSPV-PSOE, Compromís, and Unides Podem agrees that the 2023 accounts should deliver real-world benefits and be aligned with current conditions like inflation, aiming to soften its impact. Yet the coalition splits on the pace and shape of social reform, reflecting a debate sparked by President Ximo Puig in the latest policy address.
The Valencian coalition and its allies argue that the measures announced are not enough and reinforce the principle that those with greater resources should shoulder a larger share. There are high expectations for tax collection improvements. We are in a crisis, and those with the most resources should bear a larger burden, stated Pilar Lima, a trustee from Unides Podem, on Tuesday. She spoke on behalf of one of the six groups represented in the Cortes.
The PSPV contends that Puigs measures, notably the income reduction up to 60,000 euros, will benefit most Valencians, especially those in the middle and lower classes who have faced the health crisis, according to Ana Barceló, a socialist trustee. Meanwhile the three opposition groups — Partido Popular, Ciudadanos, and Vox — call Botànic accounts insufficient and demand clearer details on tax reform to be included in the Accompaniment Act.
The debate then widens to Puig’s role on the national stage, raising the temperature of fiscal policy and stirring friction with the government over proposed tax cuts.
During a budget and tax reform session on Tuesday, all ministries signaled a push for larger allocations and more resources than the previous year. In this climate, the Ministry of Finance led by Arcadi Spain holds the power to expand or limit the flow of funds to other departments. Treasury sources confirm ongoing negotiations and a strong willingness to reach consensus, while urging other ministries to exercise prudence when requesting additional resources.
The coming weeks are expected to feature a high-stakes bargaining process. Spain has shown caution about counting on unjustified revenues while Compromís and Unides Podem emphasize protecting citizens’ rights amid lingering effects of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, inflation, and the energy crisis. Valencians and their supporters worry about using fictitious revenues to balance accounts, a practice seen in past years to secure essential utilities.
strengthen employment
After the cabinet meeting, Socialist spokesperson Barceló announced that Botànic’s eighth budget will focus on boosting employment and protecting essential public services, with a clear aim to address the consequences of war and inflation. She stressed the importance of ongoing collaboration to meet the needs of families and businesses and questioned which reform model opponents favor, suggesting that some opposition positions lack clarity and are not fully articulated by their leaders.
Pilar Robles of Compromís described the budget items as challenging and reflective of broader Valencian interests. She highlighted the necessity of fair state funding, especially after recent changes in the General State Budgets that affect Alicante. Estefanía Blanes, deputy spokesperson for Unides Podem, called for a broader regional budget to safeguard vulnerable families and enterprises, arguing that increases should be significant and sustained.
In opposition, the PP criticized the national government under Pedro Sánchez for funds that they believe never arrived. The PP spokesperson, Maria Jose Catalá, urged resistance to ongoing misperceptions and demanded more accountability. Ruth Merino of Ciudadanos warned that continued borrowing by the Consell could burden Valencian youth with debt amid rising deficits.
As the dialogue continues, the region faces a delicate balance: expanding public services and employment supports while ensuring tax systems share the burden fairly and stand up to external shocks. The budget process remains a live test of Botànic governance, the administration’s ability to secure resources, and the capacity of political groups to translate broad goals into concrete, fiscally responsible policies that protect everyday Valencians.