Valencian Parliament Watch: Puig Absence, Oltra Case, and Renewable Energy Debate

Generalitat’s Leader Faces Scrutiny as Parliament Sits Out and Court Proceedings Loom

Generalitat chairman Ximo Puig will not be answering questions in the Valencian Parliament next week. The Consell’s leader has excused himself from the control session planned for Thursday because he is leading a business and corporate delegation traveling from the Community to Portugal, specifically Lisbon, on that same day. Critics argue that this absence signals avoidance of parliamentary oversight. They point out that Puig’s trip coincides with his brother’s summons to testify before a judge in Valencia as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged public aid fraud tied to Valencian promotional activities. Opponents see this as an attempt to dodge accountability, while supporters of the Botànic Government contend that the summit was in the works for months and that dialogue to reform how control sessions are conducted could be explored.

Puig’s commercial mission to Portugal, together with the news that several ministers, including some recently appointed, did not participate in the plenary meeting scheduled for 25 and 26 May, has generated frictions on both sides of the autonomous administration. The assembly gathers to outline the topics for discussion in the session. Critics use Puig’s family connections as political leverage to weaken the Botànic administration and, in particular, the Consell. Complicating matters, the Civil and Criminal Division of the Valencian Supreme Court of Justice has formed the panel expected to decide whether to accept the accusation against the Consell’s vice president, Mónica Oltra. The court’s order highlights the panel composition, featuring the president of the TSJCV, a magistrate as rapporteur, and a former anti-corruption prosecutor. This context provides fertile ground for opposition groups to amplify political gains.

TSJCV appoints magistrates to decide on the impeachment of Oltra

Spokesperson for the majority opposition, Maria José Katala, described Puig’s absence as a “full-fledged flight” and noted that Puig had already missed the control session to focus on the defense of the legal figure alleged to be central to the Azud case, following the resignation of socialist spokesperson Manolo Mata. The Valencian government, she claimed, appeared paralyzed and fled Les Corts, which she warned could be a bad omen.

The popular party spokesperson stressed that he had not seen similar behavior in his parliamentary career and added that if officials are tired, elections may be the clear way forward; otherwise, they should face the chamber. He also criticized the reluctance of several new ministers to attend an extraordinary plenary session proposed for the coming Monday.

María José Catalá, spokesperson for the popular group on the Cortes. Information

As a deputy spokesperson for CS, someone noted that Puig “has something to hide or did not want to respond” and has now skipped a third control session. The prediction was that campaign plans would align with ministerial changes, and a new election might come sooner than expected. It was suggested that the timing matched the moment Puig’s brother is due to testify in court over alleged irregularities in the use of public funds, leading to questions about any possible concealment of information. A colleague urged calm and asked for a focus on accountability rather than premature electoral talk.

From Vox, a counterpoint was raised about an alleged assault on democracy and contempt for Les Corts after the Consell’s remodel, viewed as a patch to prolong Valencians’ suffering. There was a claim that Mónica Oltra could be blamed for alleged cover-ups of her ex-husband’s sexual abuse, even though such assertions are contested and remain part of the political discourse. A PSPV deputy spokesperson argued that the Lisbon trip had a significant footprint and was not just a last-minute decision; he highlighted the expected attendance of many business leaders and pressed that the ministers’ absence for an extraordinary plenary session should be reconsidered.

Compromís emphasized that the government must answer to the Cortes and that understanding the agendas of the president and ministers was crucial. They proposed considering a new control session or a July plenary, while not delving into whether the current situation was accidental or caused by an operational error—emphasizing that broader circumstances should not be reduced to Puig’s personal needs. Unides Podem argued that the Lisbon trip was part of the agenda and urged restraint in judgment, noting that Puig has consistently stood in the Cortes as expected. They also signaled that questions about corruption and related issues would be pursued at the Thursday control session.

Papi Robles, trustee of Compromis. Information

In parallel, Compromís’ board of trustees argued that accountability in the Cortes remains essential, while stressing the importance of understanding the governing team’s calendars. There was openness to proposing an alternative control session or an additional July plenary, yet the broader question remained: the world does not tailor itself to Ximo Puig’s schedule.

Unides Podem’s column argued that the Lisbon trip was part of the formal agenda and that it would be unwise to judge it prematurely. They noted that Puig has always presented himself in the Cortes and stated that questions about corruption would be raised in the upcoming control session. The discussion included plans to question the vice president and the new health minister about various governance matters and policy decisions, including university leadership and scholarship strategies.

Renewable Energy Decree

During the upcoming plenary, a vote will take place on the emergency measures resolution that the Consell approved a few weeks ago to promote renewable energy in response to the energy crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine and a reduction in regional rates. Compromís reiterated support for the resolution, while signaling an intention to push for its treatment as legislation. The move to install photovoltaic plants and expand renewable capacity has created tensions within the Valencian coalition, with some lawmakers seeking to rethink the approach to curb the dominance of large power companies and protect the environment. Unides Podem stated its intent to negotiate with the new socialist trustee Ana Barceló, who is set to open negotiations in Parliament, and PSPV viewed this as a viable option. For the first time, the process is accompanied by a regulatory framework approved by Consell’s general assembly.

PP declared it would vote against the verification, while it would request that the measure be processed as a draft law; otherwise, it would appeal to the Constitutional Court.

Beyond the decree, the public will have the chance to question Vice-President Oltra during the next plenary session about whether political missteps carry consequences, a topic previously familiar during her time in opposition. Cs will target questions to Miguel Mínguez, the new Health Minister, regarding the potential return of Dénia Hospital to public administration and the University president Josefina Bueno’s scholarship policy as a focal point of scrutiny.