Two weeks earlier, funds from food purchases were exchanged for criticism aimed at Juan Roig, labeled a ruthless monopoly capitalist. And just yesterday, in discussions about Valencia’s port expansion, Vicente Boluda surfaced again as a focal point of scrutiny, described by one outlet as a secret and peculiar businessman. Behind the colorful epithets lies a shared thread: Héctor Illueca, the second vice-president of the Generalitat and a Podemos candidate, repeatedly appears as the connective tissue between these public episodes.
The highest representative of the Mors at Consell has been steering the media narrative to spotlight prominent Valencian entrepreneurs by name, linking them to curb government action. Last week, attention centered on the Mercadona founder amid allegations of inflated food prices. This week, the spotlight shifted to the shipping company and the president of the Valencian Entrepreneurs Association, with Illueca quoting Boluda’s remarks and framing so-called “strange parties” as a factor influencing government decisions. The underlying message suggests a tension that can be manipulated for political ends.
Illueca’s remarks about the businessman followed a meeting with the Commission City-Port de València and served to illustrate a familiar political pattern: the opposition associates the port project with special interests and public resources being diverted to a narrow circle. In this context, he frames the urban operations as predominately serving a minority group that includes Boluda Bey and other businessmen who are relatively obscure, yet accustomed to favorable treatment that appears to rely on public support.
The critique also touches on procedural changes shaping the project. Illueca identifies a potential loophole that could allow the administration to claim the center stage in media attention while the broader aims of development remain in dispute. While he aligns with Compromís on some points, he also advocates for capping prices of certain foods by resisting further infrastructure expansion. His approach is seen by many as a deliberate tactic to keep the debate in the public eye and to pressure the administration ahead of key decisions.
In recent days, the Podemos candidate has been positioned at the forefront of the public discussion, framing the issue as part of a broader contest that also involves distancing from the Socialists and, to some extent, from Compromís and a more widely recognized rival. The strategy of the purple banner appears to run counter to the image of moderation and constructive dialogue with unions and business leaders that Ximo Puig has sought to project.
Public voices warn that the current discourse risks undermining regional governance if confrontations overshadow practical steps toward growth. As the port expansion becomes a central topic in the lead-up to the May elections, tensions with the Socialists intensify and the political landscape becomes more crowded with competing visions for Valencia’s development.