The Valencia Cortes debate on the Municipal Cooperation Fund highlighted a political clash over a non-legal proposal that had been registered by PSPV-PSOE. The PP, meanwhile, announced it was crafting a new plan in collaboration with its government partner Vox and three provincial councils controlled by the Popular Party. The objective is to put the finishing touches on a project that aligns with Ximo Puig’s Botànic framework.
Cooperation Fund comes into the loop: Debate turns to Valencia Cortes
During the session, the two dominant parties remained as far apart as at any point in recent years. Each side asserts support from the Constitutional Court for its position. The PP emphasizes that territorial law does not mirror the patterns of state law, noting that the Court struck down Article 7, which they view as pivotal. PSPV counters by arguing that the Court approves the broader Botànic project, while directing its criticism toward the Generalitat’s current president, Carlos Mazón, and his four-year tenure as president of the Provincial Council of Alicante.
Hundred million
Elche deputy Ramón Abad presented the non-legal proposal on behalf of PSPV in the Cortes, urging the Provincial Assembly to release nearly one hundred million to municipalities within Alicante Province. For seven years, the state agency had avoided participation in the Cooperation Fund Botanical. “We have an investment plan safeguarded by Cortes law and validated by the Constitutional Court. The councils of Valencia and Castellón quickly joined, transferring 160 million to their respective municipalities. In contrast, Alicante’s municipalities faced discrimination, a situation attributed to Mazón,” Abad said.
The discussion triggered sustained criticism of Consell’s management during Mazón’s four years as county council chair. It was cited in Vega Baja, where aid for DANA reportedly would take up to 21 months to reach final recipients. “The PP must insist on paying down the debt and presenting solutions to Cortes for the articles annulled by the Constitutional decision that approved most of the Cooperation Fund,” he added. While speaking as part of the Elche municipal government team of the Ultra formation, he called for the removal of bicycle paths “due to ideological bias” and criticized the inclusion of sexual education and LGTBI diversity in classrooms. He also criticized the perceived pressure on negotiation institutes on this matter.
The main line from the Popular faction, represented by Eduardo Dolón, was that Mazón and his government team throughout their years in the Provincial Assembly aimed to defend the interests of the people of Alicante. Dolón referenced the Constitutional Court to challenge Puig’s arguments and argued that the Consell was working with the councils to implement a legally sound Cooperation Fund. He also recalled the allocation of 170 million in extraordinary funds by the provincial institution to accelerate aid to municipalities under the new plan being discussed with the three councils’ leadership.
Dolón asserted that the Alicante provincial institution would not be obligated to channel funds to the state when the current distribution framework is deemed unconstitutional, illegal, and void. He labeled the plan a major misstep by Botànic and noted that the province had not faced problems participating in other consensus-driven funds, such as the one established to support the tourism sector during the pandemic.
Partners
Among the other groups represented in the Cortes, Vox backed the regional government’s approach, while Compromís supported the PSPV line. Valencian representatives presented an amendment to the law with the goal of urging the Cortes to press the Consell to invite the Provincial Council to implement the Fund. “Municipalities must receive an unconditional source of funding,” stated Compromís deputy Jesús Pla.
Vox deputy Jose María Llanos noted that his party had proposed changes to the Botànic law and made clear they would no longer back the socialist model. He argued that forced participation should not be imposed on local units and that they must retain their own powers.