Serious fires in the Valencian Community fueled a political clash inside the regional council. On Tuesday, the PP urged a calendar shift in the Cortes to require Generalitat president Ximo Puig to address the fires in Vall d’Ebo. Incidents by train were reported in Bejís and at the Castellón terminal. Citizens also pressed for appearances by Ministers of Justice and Environment, Gabriela Bravo and Mireia Mollà. For now, the Botànic bloc does not appear ready to accelerate parliamentary statements demanded by the opposition. Socialists argue that seeking electoral gain amid hardship would be a tactic. The Valencian left plans to convene the Consell plenary next Tuesday to approve aid for the affected areas, stressing that the Presidency aims to deliver practical solutions.
Public pressure specifically pushed the PP board of trustees to call a spokesperson meeting as soon as possible to set a date to convene the Standing Council before September 1 for the Consel’s chairman to appear, as announced this Tuesday. In Cortes, Maria José Katala warned that the PP did not rule out requesting a commission of inquiry if clarifications were not provided. The Presidency counters that Puig is under daily scrutiny and makes significant statements.
“We cannot wait a week and remain bound to the July calendar when the worst fires of this decade occurred. There is little point keeping that schedule,” Catalá said.
He urged speeding up parliamentary work to secure Permanent Representation and, above all, for Puig to come forward with the necessary explanations and to initiate all possible assistance for those affected. He also emphasized the need to act quickly on measures for disaster relief.
Similarly, Catalá argued that a statement was necessary because not enough information was provided about the incident on the Bejís train described as a panic event. He suggested the issue might reflect a coordination problem and urged it be addressed openly.
“Regional regulations and the forest fire prevention plan have been reviewed. In all plans, the Generalitat assigns regional responsibility for emergency coordination. There is a clear assessment that emergency coordination failed. It is a shared failure involving Generalitat, Renfe, and Adif, with essential warnings missing,” he stated.
Catalá noted that the Vall d’Ebo and Bejís fires showed the Popular Party taking a respectful stance, avoiding partisan use of the tragedy. He recalled that the opposition has faced partisan use of fires before, citing events from the Cortes de Pallás in 2012.
He also evaluated a proposal with twenty initiatives and concrete measures for the affected regions, presented to Les Corts this Tuesday to seek broad backing. He described actions that could be advanced within fifteen days to support autonomy, including personal income tax relief for those affected, bonuses, reductions to the self-employment quota, and special plans for forest recovery and tourism.
“Measures, appearances, and explanations are the least requested of a government, and a responsible opposition can ask for them,” said María José Catalá. “Nobody should accuse us of partisan use.”
The Cs parliamentary group has asked for a special commission to study forest management in the Valencian Community, with a focus on fire prevention, as spokesperson Ruth Merino announced.
“We want experts and those affected to discuss the forest and mountain conditions, what can be improved, and whether there is abandonment, lack of sanitation, or scarce resources. Generalitat’s budget, resource management, climate, and forest fires are key factors. The absence of a robust forestry industry also matters,” Merino explained. Merino added that Mireia Mollà and Gabriela Bravo should appear to explain fire management, prevention efforts, and any failures to act.
Merino described the group’s proposal as proactive and constructive, noting that in the Vall d’Ebo and Bejís cases, the important task is to assess what failed and what has consistently failed.
“We want experts to provide guidance on reducing impacts, support livestock and agriculture as preventive measures, and facilitate aid delivery for those affected by the Vall d’Ebo and Bejís fires.”
demagogy
Meanwhile, PSPV-PSOE trustees at Cortes, including Main Barcelona, labeled the PP stance demagogic and said it undermines ongoing relief efforts while seeking electoral gain amid a crisis. They asked Catalá whether there is a fire cartel led by Serafín Castellano and what example would be followed in fire management.
The socialist leadership stressed that Valencia would not tolerate lessons from the Valencian right. They argued that the management of fires by the PP in the Valencian Community is defined by weak prevention, abandoned commitments, and questionable public contracts. They noted it is ironic that the PP is now pushing for commissions and appearances.
Barceló remarked that from the first moment the fires were declared this summer, Puig coordinated efforts and provided transparent updates as needed. He added that investigations were carried out after the fires subsided, with a focus on clarifying all facts.
Finally, the socialist leader highlighted a rapid regional and national response plan to begin rebuilding and reviving the affected areas. A plan was in place within ten days after the tragedy to move toward future-focused, comprehensive measures and declare the area a disaster zone. The emphasis remained on accelerating recovery and ensuring ongoing support for those impacted.