For the socialist group in the Cortes, the path starts with the sense that the previous course never truly ends and with numerous open fronts. The final message arrived from Euskadi, where lehendakari Íñigo Urkullu urged a re-reading of the Constitution to enable a deeper self-government for Catalans, Basques, and Galicians.
Ximo Puig, the former chairman and general secretary of PSPV, shares the core idea of the proposal while arguing it should be pursued with a broader perspective. “It feels right to me that the Basque Country carries this passion, but Valencians share that same passion,” he said yesterday after the socialist group met in Parliament.
<p Puig believes this approach is the most suitable way to improve and clarify relations between the autonomous communities and the national government after four decades of self-government. Yet he insisted that the territorial discussion cannot be confined to the Basque Country or Catalonia while other nations are left out. The socialist leader also highlighted the council, led by Mazón, three months after the elections, noting that “30 percent of the people remain unnamed; not only from Vox regions but also from PP.” He accused Mazón of “kidnapping” some officials from the previous administration who are yet to be replaced.
The former president also commented on discussions in Consell regarding the use of the Valencian language. Puig recalled a language agreement signed with the opposition during the Zaplana era, which he described as taking language out of political contention and the only scenario previously considered. “The institutionalization of language was meant to overcome conflicts,” he said.
Look into the past
In line with President Carlos Mazón’s September 11 meeting with the AVL president, Puig asserted that no one could imagine the Spanish head of state seeking “greater gentleness and gesture” from the RAE.
He also admitted concern that this focus on the past could mask an unfinished project for the Community of Valencia, calling into question everything that had been overcome in forty years of autonomy.
The Permanent Delegation convenes today to approve the Consel’s three resolutions, which the Cortes will use to allow transportation reductions and fare decreases. Puig said these measures represent “a line of continuity with the previous government,” and he pledged support. He also stated that the socialist group would demand that the cleaning fee and the most vulnerable households’ burdens be included in these rates.
PSPV had requested the presence of Education Minister José Antonio Rovira due to issues in the allocation of teachers’ positions, but the offer was rejected by PP and Vox.
Facing Consell’s accusations blaming Botànic for recent events, Puig stood by the legacy, saying, “We made the best possible transfer, and former secretary Miquel Soler was always available, even though he was not called.” He attributed the problems that have affected thousands of teachers to what he called the current Consell’s incompetence, financial mismanagement, and irresponsibility.