Silence Amid Shifting Alliances Echoes Through the Valencian Socialist Federation
In the afternoon, PSPV communication channels circulated a photo showing the entire Valencian socialist delegation gathered in A Coruña. Earlier, Alejandro Soler and several insiders close to the Alicante province leader had signed up for a dinner that night with all federation representatives, except Pedro Sánchez and Ximo Puig, who dined with the regional leaders. The group totaled over seventy people. Yet the pair of unity gestures remained symbolic, as the PSPV concluded the second day of its congress focused on primaries and internal renewal.
Messages from the Valencian delegation were notably brief—“no news,” “silence,” or “no action” appeared among the conveyed sentiments. They did not reference the ongoing discussions in party forums aimed at refreshing PSOE ideology, the official rationale for the gathering, but rather signaled potential negotiations among the three candidates seeking party leadership. The names drawing the most attention so far are Carlos Fernández Bielsa, Alejandro Soler, and Diana Morant.
This perceived lack of decisive action has plunged the Valencian federation, the second-largest when it comes to membership in Spain, into a two-front internal struggle. On one hand, the three named figures insist on advancing their bid for leadership. On the other, two contenders have managed to gain momentum and collect more support to lead the party. The Socialist Party’s rules state that when more than two candidates enter the race, the primary is conducted in two rounds. Whether that happens depends on which dates can be set as the congress calendar is shaped.
More than half of the supporters could sway toward a runoff only if no candidate clears 50 percent in the first ballot. Yet the possibility of three candidates appears to create enough momentum to prevent a clear first-round winner. Sources close to the party note that the process is long, and once it begins, negotiations accelerate. It would not be surprising if provisional agreements emerge as contenders seek to solidify their positions.
Following Bielsa’s move on Friday, each candidate’s aura carried messages of calm, and this tone remained relevant as Monday approached, the day the extraordinary congress framework would be finalized. The Galicia meeting’s standout development is the anticipated emergence of PSPV as a key voice as soon as the process proceeds. Bielsa’s strategy at the outset sent a signal to Ferraz: a reminder not to react hastily and to consider staying out from late-stage decisions, given his firm stance at this stage of the chess game. The goal was to secure an advantageous position before the other contenders formally enter the race.
The initial move—aimed at gaining an edge over two more prominent candidates in recent weeks—did not unfold as smoothly as anticipated. Two names were incorporated into the plan to renew the leadership lineup. The party distanced itself from the proposal, drawing criticism from other candidates, yet it did not abandon its bid to steer the Valencian federation and set a new course. This setback prompted strategic recalibration on the part of Bielsa’s team.
After Friday’s upheaval, yesterday’s communications turned markedly calmer, and positions remained stable. The three candidates’ camps signaled a continued willingness to negotiate. It remains to be seen whether Pedro Sánchez will personally weigh in in the coming hours, but the situation looks complex and fluid.
The head of government’s agenda at the congress appeared constrained: he arrived the previous afternoon, and the day’s focus would be on Galicia and regional elections, complemented by a major event. He is viewed as someone who could drive changes with the participation of the Federal Committee and ministers who are detached from routine administration, potentially compelling Arcadi Spain to adjust the Valencian frame. Still, anything remains possible.
Ferraz’s signals
Although Sánchez was not present, Ferraz conveyed quiet but meaningful messages from the PSPV. In the morning, the party organization seated Diana Morant between José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and government spokesperson Pilar Alegría, close to Santos Cerdán, who oversees day-to-day party operations. The arrangement underscored the party’s internal pedigree.
In the afternoon, the minister hinted at future intentions without detailing them fully. At the Equality panel, he challenged the policies of Valencia’s Mazón administration, signaling an intent to position himself as a future opposition leader. Those close to him believe a victory in a hypothetical primary is plausible, though he will need to demonstrate sustained effort to win the role against all competitors.
Morant’s ascent continues as she is positioned to lead the federation, should the internal process evolve in that direction. Sharing the stage with the head of equality Ana Redondo, she criticized the PP and Vox for treating women’s rights as mere talking points rather than steadfast priorities. She reminded audiences that the Valencian Community stood among the early regions to experience a broader rightward alignment between PP and Vox after years of social advances under President Ximo Puig. The message was clear: the current right-leaning coalition has not consistently defended those gains.
During the visit to Alcoi and Elda in the first week of January and again in Valencia recently, Morant has stressed her willingness to run for party leadership regardless of how many candidates enter the race. She continues to present herself as a robust counterweight to Mazón and has signaled readiness to act as the federation’s general secretary even as the internal process unfolds.
On stage with equality head Ana Redondo, Morant condemned the PP and Vox for prioritizing women’s rights as a political weapon rather than a genuine commitment, emphasizing that the region’s societies deserve policies that protect and empower women. She argued that the alliance’s record shows lapses, including instances where officials who spoke for gender equality later failed to defend those very rights when it mattered most. Morant asserted that the current government’s personnel choices, including appointments in ministries and regional leadership, have sent a troubling message about where real priorities lie.
She named specific officials and cases, highlighting concerns about dismissals and controversial appointments that, in her view, undermined progress on gender equality. Morant warned that the broader political climate risks eroding social gains if the coalition persists in its current approach, urging a more steadfast defense of women’s rights across the Valencian landscape.
As the internal process intensifies, Morant’s public posture remains unapologetically firm. Her efforts to cast herself as the leading opposition voice against the Mazón administration reflect a broader strategy to unify her faction and gain momentum for a potential leadership bid. The coming days will reveal whether she can translate that momentum into formal support and a clear path to the federation’s top post.