Valencian Regional Leaders and public perception across Spain
Citizens of the Commonwealth of Valencia show notable alignment with their regional representatives, a trend highlighted by a survey conducted by the Invest Group for INFORMATION, Levante-EMV, and Mediterráneo-El Periódico de Castellón. The study reveals that evaluations of regional political leaders surpass those of national figures in every case, even though the general population’s knowledge about local leaders lags behind awareness of the national ones. The most pronounced gap appears with Unides Podem, while Ximo Puig benefits more from Pedro Sánchez than from Feijoó and Carlos Mazón. This pattern suggests a nuanced trust dynamic where regional leadership is valued for its proximity and perceived responsiveness, independent of broader national narratives. [Source: Invest Group for INFORMATION, Levante-EMV, Mediterráneo-El Periódico de Castellón]
Voters push back against Madrid’s political tension
The survey results are definitive in showing divergent evaluations between regional and national figures, a split that may reflect voter reactions to ongoing tensions in Spanish politics. The Partido Popular (PP) saw Carlos Mazón, the district candidate, rated at 5.11, ahead of Alberto Núñez Feijóo, who scored 4.64, the party’s national chairman. Feijóo’s recognition stands at 81.6% among respondents, while Mazón’s reach is at 40.2%. The higher standing for Mazón could stem from declining popularity for Feijóo, who entered the national leadership with high expectations but now appears fatigued by opposition scrutiny in certain sectors. The regional candidate, meanwhile, is seen as more valuable by those who know him, even if his overall reputation remains modest. [Source: Invest Group for INFORMATION, Levante-EMV, Mediterráneo-El Periódico de Castellón]
If the PP’s gap is notable, the gap within PSPV is even wider. Ximo Puig, the current Council chairman, registers 4.95, well above the 3.82 of the Head of Government and Socialist General Secretary Pedro Sánchez. The knowledge gap is modest here, with 92.2% recognizing Puig and 98.3% recognizing Sánchez. National politics reenters the scene as both leaders face a challenging legislative period marked by near-constant opposition attacks and the recurring reference to “sanchismo,” which slowly shapes voter impressions. Puig, by contrast, presents a presidency perceived as more open and inclusive, contributing to a more favorable citizen assessment. [Source: Invest Group for INFORMATION, Levante-EMV, Mediterráneo-El Periódico de Castellón]
Party-by-party differences in perception
In Unides Podem, Héctor Illueca yields 4.57 points while Ione Belarra is at 2.98, illustrating a substantial disparity in knowledge and perceived significance between regional and national figures within this party. The Ciudadanos bloc shows different dynamics; Generalitat Presidential candidate Mamen Peris earns 4.73 points, with Inés Arrimadas at 3.86. Only 14.8% of respondents recognize the Valencian leader, a figure that contrasts with a 74.5% recognition rate among Catalan voters, highlighting regional awareness gaps. Voters often connect Arrimadas to the party’s broader electoral decline rather than to Valencia’s political realities. [Source: Invest Group for INFORMATION, Levante-EMV, Mediterráneo-El Periódico de Castellón]
The Vox bloc also reveals notable gaps: Carlos Flores scores 4.75 against Santiago Abascal’s 3.47, with only 14.7% of respondents recognizing Flores versus 93.7% recognizing Abascal. This relative ignorance can tilt perceptions in favor of the regional candidate who remains less known on a national stage. Finally, Héctor Illueca, the housing minister and Unides Podem candidate for the Valencian Generalitat, outperforms Belarra with 4.57 to 2.98. Only 16.3% of citizens know Illueca compared with 55.1% who identify Belarra, underscoring how controversies like housing policy debates and clashes over national agendas may skew local voter awareness. [Source: Invest Group for INFORMATION, Levante-EMV, Mediterráneo-El Periódico de Castellón]