Generalitat president Ximo Puig reaffirmed his commitment to elevating the Valencian Community’s international profile through flagship events such as Benidorm Fest, the Goya Awards, and the Davis Cup. He responded to comments from the president of Xunta de Galicia, Sanxenxo, made this weekend in the wake of honorary king Juan Carlos I’s public profile shift, calling the moment a matter of public interest and noting that the discussions around the monarch should be understood within a broader national context. Alfonso Rueda, for his part, described the visit as positive — or at least newsworthy — while stressing that it does not equate to an endorsement of every action by the royal family.
“We prefer to promote Benidorm Fest or the Goya awards because they deliver tangible value to our region”, Puig said. He added that Juan Carlos’s recent actions should not be celebrated as something to point to with pride.
King Juan Carlos, I will return to Spain on Saturday 21 May
The autonomously governed president defended the importance of upholding the Constitution while acknowledging that public perception of a monarch’s behavior can complicate the moral calculus of institutional respect. He emphasized that personal conduct and institutional duties are not interchangeable, and that the integrity of public offices remains a serious matter for citizens.
Regarding the right of return for the honorary king, Puig noted that ethical standards vary among people and that there is a clear sense among citizens about what constitutes appropriate conduct. He pointed out that the state treasury and related accountability are core democratic concerns and should be treated with seriousness rather than pride.
Puig reiterated that the Valencian Community’s promotional activities are intended to build a stronger regional image and to foreground events that deliver value for residents and the economy. He underscored that events like Benidorm Fest, the Goya Awards, and the Davis Cup are catalysts for tourism, culture, and international recognition, whereas other initiatives may not contribute in the same way.
During the morning session in the Valencian Parliament, Puig attended a meeting of the socialist group, following news about a major political shift involving a recent buyer. In this session, Manolo Mata had previously stepped aside, and the group discussed the implications for policy and leadership. A former health minister took a seat as a trustee of the socialist group, while Vicen Marzà, the long-serving former Minister of Education, Culture and Sports, positioned himself among the senior members. The assembly reflected ongoing debates about strategy and governance within the regional government.
At the Cortes plenary on Wednesday, the effects of a recent restructuring by the Consell became visible as new leadership assumed roles. Speaker Enric Morera welcomed the new socialist board of trustees at the start of the session, highlighting that the appointment of a woman to lead one of the six parliamentary groups marks a notable step toward gender equality and a broader sense of parliamentary modernization.
During the session, the seating arrangements in the parliamentary chamber drew attention. Barceló shifted from the blue row to the front of the chamber, taking a seat in the second row just behind the Generalitat president, Ximo Puig. Marzà moved to a neighboring position, with Compromís’s deputy trustee Aitana Mas seated nearby. These changes were interpreted as a reflection of the evolving alliances and the ongoing negotiation of party lines within the Cortes.
Additionally, Xelo Angulo, formerly director general of International Development Cooperation at the Ministry of Accession, took a seat within the socialist group, replacing Mata. The rearrangement underscored the continuous evolution of the regional assembly as it grapples with policy priorities and the political calendar.