After the Consell approved last week an institutional declaration urging the central government to annul the judicial proceedings that condemned Miguel Hernández to death and later imprisonment, while omitting explicit references to the Second Republic, Francoist repression, or the poet’s death in Orihuela prison, the government’s spokesperson defended the executive’s stance on Tuesday. Ruth Merino, who also holds the finance, economy, and public administration portfolio, described the declaration as very comprehensive and as acknowledging the injustices of a period universally recognized as a dictatorship. Speaking after the plenary session held at the Casa de las Brujas in Alicante, she clarified that the lack of a reference to Francoism was not a deliberate omission. It was not that a relationship to the Franco era was excluded; that was not explicitly decided, she asserted.”
She went on to explain that the Generalitat Valenciana has not planned any homage to Miguel Hernández in the province of Alicante at this time, though she noted that such an act could be considered in the future. When asked whether the Orihuela-born poet deserved a standalone tribute apart from the ceremony planned in Madrid to remember Francoism victims on October 31, she replied that no concrete plan has been put forward yet. It remains an idea, she said, that could be valued, although nothing has been done yet. These remarks come after last week’s plenary approval of an institutional declaration supporting the poet’s family request for the government to overturn the judicial proceedings that condemned him to death and later to prison.”
Merino also addressed two other issues following the plenary: the technical commission on the Tajo-Segura water transfer, and the drafting of next year’s regional budgets. On the first matter, she affirmed that the Generalitat will push for the meeting to be held as soon as possible and that the council will stay vigilant to ensure that the central government fulfills the major topics affecting the Valencian Community. She acknowledged that there have been no new developments since Friday regarding the technical commission, but stressed that water concerns and the other topics discussed will be prioritized and pushed to be considered by the Government as soon as possible.”
Regarding the autonomous budgets for 2025, the finance minister and spokesperson said the Consell is open to negotiating the accounts with other political parties and with the unions. Asked about Vox’s request to review a draft before it is submitted to the Valencian Cortes, Merino reiterated that there is full openness to dialogue about the budgets and the accompanying law. She emphasized that from day one, as President Mazón has stated, the government will engage with social agents, employers, and the unions. It is a matter that affects everyone, and they are willing to collaborate and welcome contributions to shape the best possible budgets.”