At this point in the week, Consell’s crisis continues to gain momentum as Manolo Mata departs from PSPV’s Síndic role in Cortes. The selection of Health Minister Ana Barceló as the spokesperson for the new socialist assembly keeps growing in influence. With decisions still pending, Consell appears to be moving toward a broad reshuffle of its socialist faction, a shift long controlled by president Ximo Puig. For now, the four ministers from Compromís are expected to stay in place, while two from Unides Podem would remain outside the movement.
Puig reiterated yesterday the urgency for renewing Síndic in the Cortes at the next plenary session of the Assembly. The session is scheduled for this week, since there is no current plan in motion. That means the Executive’s crisis must be addressed on Wednesday the 17th when the plenary gathering starts. Ideally, the new spokesperson would be on the board by Tuesday, though that timing is not mandatory.
As a result, two calendars are circulating in the Palau de la Generalitat. One plan foresees announcing the changes on Wednesday or Thursday of the current week, aligning the portfolio swap with a Thursday or Friday before Consell’s plenary session, with new assignments ready that same day.
The second, more flexible option, involves naming new councilors over the weekend or the following Monday, followed by an extraordinary Consell plenary early in the week and the appearance of the Síndic’s successors either at the meeting on Wednesday or even the day before.
Regardless of the timetable, Puig must determine the scale of a political push toward a year-end restructuring of the legislature. In keeping with that line, he returned to his influence yesterday in Almenara by observing the ongoing beach conservation work.
At this stage, anything remains possible, but the most discussed option is a sweeping reform of the socialist faction. If Barceló shifts to the Cortes, Health would join the new configuration, while the current head of Justice and Public Administration, Gabriela Bravo, would likely be the only minister retained in continuity.
Arcadi Spain for the Territory could see a reshuffle with a new head for Innovation, Carolina Pascual, and a new head for Finance, Vicent Soler. Arcadi Spain for the Territory might move to another region or even assume leadership of that ministry by consolidating responsibilities from another department into a macro-ministry or elevating a vice-president role that does not carry full ministerial rank. This option was discussed by Puig, according to multiple sources, though its adoption would depend on gender balance and regional representation.
Arcadi Spain has been directing the President’s cabinet and remains the president’s most trusted figure within the Valencian Government. In the last three years, he has delivered several notable achievements, including the unified mobility card and the opening of a new metro line in the city. Valencia’s L10 project, slated for Monday, and collaboration on the Sagunto electric battery gigafactory have marked a productive period for the administration.
Compromise token does not move
Puig’s remarks last Saturday about the possibility of restarting Consell did not derail the steady stance of Compromís partners. The idea of replacing any of the four executive members is not under consideration, according to leaders from Més and the Initiative, the party of coalition leader and vice-president Mónica Oltra.
A private source from Initiative noted, We do not see the need to change what works, emphasizing that the focus remains on governing and advancing the legislative agenda. Some Més voices concede that long-serving ministers could be refreshed to provide a boost, yet they question whether this is prudent in the current climate. Consequently, Oltra, Vicen Marzà, Rafa Climent, and Mireia Mollà would stay in their roles at least until the next elections. Source: internal coalition discussions and public briefings.