Everything is up in the air. Amidst the uncertainty, operation 28M kicks off in the Valencian Community. In this selection, a clash between blocs will decide whether a third Botànic version appears or a shift in course, and whether it remains under Generalitat control. The contest is in the hands of the People’s Party and Vox. All polls point to a razor-thin race, charged with energy, action, and nerves as days of intense campaigning loom to win over the undecided. Who will dominate the regional vote?
Beyond the general trend in turnout, several factors stand out as pivotal. First is mobilization. Both blocs rally their bases, with the left eager to see Unides Podem continue governing alongside its partners after eight years, needing to surpass the 5% threshold to retain Valencian Parliament seats. On the other side, the PP presses to capitalize on fatigue from years in power, broadening its reach, especially in Alicante, where candidate Carlos Mazón campaigns vigorously, notably in Elche. Polls suggest a likely pact with Vox if victorious, making it essential to explain any alignment with the far right. Ciudadanos remains stubbornly near the 5% threshold, trying to fill the space left by liberals. The shift from orange to PP has progressed steadily in recent months. Ximo Puig, seeking re-election for the socialists, appeals to moderate and centrist voters with a steady message of stability and continuity.
national policy
What unfolds in the coming weeks will ripple through national politics, as general elections are slated for year-end, featuring the contest between Socialist Pedro Sánchez and Popular leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo. In Valencian politics, PSPV and PP pursued distinct approaches. The factions aligned with the socialist banner focus their campaigns on Puig’s administration, hoping to present a stable governance model to the head of government during a Valencia stop on the 20th. The PP, by contrast, keeps its messaging national, making it tougher for Feijóo to secure Mazón’s support. The frame feels large and consequential.
Compromís emphasizes a campaign stance that their leadership is not in Madrid, presenting themselves as the viable alternative to Valencian problems. The coalition also wages a strategic contest with Unides Podem for Sumar leader Yolanda Díaz’s backing, a coalition dynamic that requires careful balance. On the 24th, Compromís will campaign in Alicante, followed by Valencia the next day, underscoring the bid to shape regional priorities.
Internal tensions among Botànic partners and broader national political noise pose headwinds for the left. The PSPV argues for stability and governance, pointing to improving economic and social indicators since eight years of governance began. The arrival of Volkswagen’s battery gigafactory is highlighted as a major recent achievement, with residents weighing whether to continue backing local projects or return to a period tainted by corruption headlines. The public remains attentive to the government’s record on the ground.
left block
Asked about the keys to the provincial race, PSPV’s top candidate, Josefina Bueno, stresses the government’s unprecedented work in the southern Valencian territory. Her campaign highlights Vega Baja, a water-stressed region that will play a crucial role in regional planning. Other projects, like the City of Light and the Digital District, are pitched as guarantees of progress for the south.
Compromís, led by Aitana Mas, asserts that the vote on 28M will decide the regional future for the next fifteen years, promising climate measures and stronger social services. Unides Podem argues that their policies are bolder than those of Valencians themselves, aiming to surpass the 5% threshold and positioning themselves as true architects of social transformation.
right block
From the right, a shift in direction for the Valencian Community is advocated. The main figure is Mazón, the Popular candidate striving to become the Generalitat’s first president from Alicante. His program emphasizes tax relief and the Tajo-Segura transfer, alongside core concerns like health, education, and housing—issues central to the political debate. Vox seeks a place in government, with Ana Vega in Alicante warning that they intend to govern with real powers, not merely as allies. Ciudadanos hopes for a revival, aiming to avoid fading from the political map. Many questions will be resolved in the campaign, with the air thick with anticipation and uncertainty about the outcome.