Relations between Monica Oltra, the vice president and head of Equality and Inclusive Policies, and Gabriela Bravo, the minister overseeing Justice, Home Affairs and Public Administration, have long been strained. The friction between them has persisted across assemblies and into prior sessions. The disagreements touched on multiple issues, from establishing a gender-violence police station to recognizing women who engage in prostitution as victims under an abolitionist stance, and even how best to manage the language and measures during the most challenging moments of the health crisis. Now, the tensions involve senior civil servants as well. In the midst of a government crisis in the Consell, Bravo intensified pressure on Oltra. Debates about inconsistencies between Botànic’s two principal partners in the Valencian Recovery Strategy, supported by the Generalitat’s leadership, led Bravo to move from a stance of contributing to signaling a possible exit, addressing concerns in November 2020. The move reflected a deliberate, strategic push rather than a spontaneous change, and it was felt across Compromís and its wider circles, across time and through various channels.
Bravo opened a new round of tension on Tuesday, just before Education Minister Marzà acted on Wednesday morning to leave the Valencia Executive to focus on a broader organizational plan in light of the 2023 elections and the leadership contest within Compromís. The choice of Valencia studios by COPE was seen by many as intentional. In the midst of a government crisis announced by the head of the Consel and consistent with the vice president’s potential impeachment related to a case involving a minor under Generalitat supervision, Bravo stated that three court decisions had left the administration in a fragile state. She did not hesitate to discuss Oltra’s potential departure from the Valencian Executive: everyone makes their own decisions and holds personal values, but she faced a situation that could undermine the credibility of the institution she represents. She argued that ethics matter deeply in politics and that criminal responsibility can sometimes be distinct from political responsibility and its impact on the institution. This stance suggested that the circumstances left little room to view events as accidental, even within their own ranks.
Comments from Twitter
From there, the storm intensified across social networks and diverse forums. Those close to the inactive Compromís leadership expressed strong reactions. A chief of staff person on Twitter noted that two sentences were cited, not three, and argued that no proven facts implicated the administration either positively or negatively. Bravo, a lawyer by training, was accused of deceit by some, while other voices pressed questions through the same platform, highlighting concerns over the government’s stability and the implications for Botany’s pillars. Calls emerged for accountability and a possible removal of the minister from her post.
Later, Agueda Mico, general secretary of Més, commented during an appearance with Marzà, labeling Bravo’s statements as inappropriate or selective and arguing that Oltra’s work ran counter to other members of Consel. She added that it was a reminder of ongoing tensions within Valencian governance and the perceived impact on linguistic equality for Valencians. City of Valencia mayor Joan Ribó weighed in, suggesting that the loyalty of the corporate side was being tested.
On the socialist side, the council head emphasized that Bravo’s remarks reflected personal opinion and did not constitute an official message. The party echoed that sentiment through its spokesperson, Anna Dominguez, noting that the minister’s statements were confined to a personal space.
As the situation evolved, statements from Compromís leaders continued to surface. Raquel Tamarit, newly confirmed as the Minister of Education, Culture and Sport, avoided direct commentary on personal opinions, while serving as a visible figure in the evolving narrative. Despite public attempts to downplay external pressure, the dialogue around Oltra intensified, with internal voices in Compromís urging restraint while signaling that the political winds were shifting. The overall impression remained that the leadership was navigating a precarious moment, balancing personal positions with the broader expectations of their governing coalition. In the end, the narrative pointed to a broader reassessment within Compromís about governance, ethics, and the unity of the coalition amid ongoing scrutiny.
Citations: coverage from COPE and public statements from Valencian government channels were cited to illustrate the sequence of events as they unfolded, reflecting how media and party actors framed the crisis and its stakes for Valencian governance.