Ione Belarra, the Minister for Social Rights and Agenda 2030, participated in a Podemos election action in Valencia alongside Lilith Verstrynge, the Organization Secretary of the Purple Formation. The speakers criticized what they called the influence of powerful businessmen and food distributors who dominate market share in Spain, arguing this concentration has pushed food prices higher. During the remarks, they repeatedly cited Mercadona chief Juan Roig, labeling him a brutal capitalist, and urged the Government and the PSOE not to shield the powerful players in the market.
Belarra joined a demonstration along the Valencia route focused on transformation this Saturday, where Héctor Illueca, Podemos candidate for the Presidency of the Valencian Government, was introduced. Pilar Lima, Podemos candidate for Mayor of Valencia, María Teresa Pérez, Podemos Corporate Action secretary and candidate for the Valencia Courts for Alicante, and Marisa Saavedra, Unidas Podemos MP in Congress and candidate for Castelló in the Valencia Courts, also appeared. Belarra stated that the coalition is not in danger, but that the PSOE remains a conservative party and fears certain progressive laws such as the one on basic energy policy, caps on gas bills, or housing protections.
The Podemos leadership appears to resist pressure while seeking to reframe the Yes-Only Yes-Is-Law stance to avoid a PSOE-PP alliance. In Valencia this morning, Belarra commented that the coalition government with the PSOE is not in danger despite notable inconsistencies in the proposed law. Morlar supports higher penalties and the introduction of violence and intimidation as aggravating factors in sexual assault, while resisting treating it as a separate crime subtype.
Message from Illueca to Puig and Compromís
Illueca, deeply involved in the final weekend of the electoral campaign and having interrupted negotiations between Compromís and Unidas Podemos to pursue a vote in the elections, delivered a message to Compromís and the PSOE: You can only govern from the left within the Generalitat. He also highlighted Podemos growth as a key factor to secure guarantees for the Botànic governance in the next legislature.
Pilar Lima affirmed that Podem would return to Cap i Casal. After criticizing the urban policies of the deputy mayor Sandra Gómez, she commented that the party needed to step into the city council and ensure a city for everyone. She noted the city is aging and pushing young people out, a trend that must be reversed.
Observers note that the campaign events emphasized a shift toward internal unity while signaling readiness to push reforms on social and housing issues. The strategic tension between a more progressive stance and the realities of coalition governance remains a central theme in the Valencia chapter of the election cycle. Analysts say the evolving rhetoric aims to energize supporters while appealing to undecided voters who seek credible governance with measurable social protections. As the election nears, the parties involved are likely to refine their messages on economic fairness, housing security, and the balance of power within the regional administration, with a focus on local needs and broader national ambitions.
In this context, the public discourse continues to shape perceptions of Podemos within the broader left coalition, as well as the posture of the PSOE in relation to its long standing alliances. Marked conversations emphasize accountability, the role of big business in everyday life, and the urgency of policies that directly affect households. People watching the Valencia events may see a campaign style that blends street-level messaging with strategic positioning on governance, reflecting the broader conversation about social rights and regional autonomy across Spain.
At stake is not only the immediate electoral outcome but also the trajectory of policy in the region. Supporters anticipate a mandate that reinforces social protections, expands housing access, and confronts market concentration with practical solutions. Critics argue that the proposed measures require careful calibration to avoid unintended consequences. The ensuing debates will likely address how to balance market dynamics with social welfare while maintaining coalition discipline and political credibility across the spectrum.