Following the DANA natural disaster that hit Vega Baja in September 2019, the recovery and renewal project was branded Vega Renhace by Botànic, led by Ximo Puig. This naming sparked a political clash between PSPV-PSOE and PP, as budget allocations for the plan were debated. Critics from the socialist side accused the Consell of slashing the program’s key works to a mere 10,000 euros, seemingly to minimize Puig’s legacy.
On the other side, supporters from the Popular party argued that the 2024 accounts for the southern part of the province earmark nearly 75 million euros, plus an additional 37 million euros from European funds destined for Vega Baja. They highlighted the commitment of Generalitat president Carlos Mazón and others to regional modernization and infrastructure improvements to prevent a recurrence of past disasters. A notable moment cited by supporters was one of the first plenary sessions of the new Consell held in Orihuela to mark the fourth anniversary of the DANA, with Mazón among those who had opposed the earlier consequences of the Tajo-Segura transfer cuts.
Project
Since the budget project for next year became public, PSPV has criticized the Vega Renhace Plan for its cutbacks. Water in Cortes spokesman David López stated that eliminating the region’s long-term strategic plan could hinder Vega Baja’s economic, social, and environmental recovery. López argued that the only reason the PP dislikes the plan is its lack of support for it.
In his remarks, the Socialist MP claimed that only a small portion of the original project’s remaining works were financed, reduced to a reference amount of 10,000 euros, with many projects postponed until 2025. PSPV members lamented that the plan emerged from political consensus and fear that the Consell now seeks to terminate it for partisan reasons. They urged continued dialogue with city councils, emphasizing unity and concerted efforts to rebuild the region after the disaster.
Facing these accusations, the Consell maintains that Vega Baja’s 27 municipalities allocated 74.3 million euros to investment chapters. Of this, 37.5 million in the 2024 budget comes from European funds for remediation in the southern region, plus an additional 3.5 million from the Valencian Community Public Agency for Wastewater Sanitation (Epsar).
Critics from PP and other quarters argue that Vega Renhace has not shown strong implementation and label it a political marketing exercise by Puig in the region, claiming there is little real budget allocation for the project within Generalitat accounts. They also point to the unfinished action of surveying Segura’s mouth. It is important to consider that the Segura Hydrographic Confederation’s powers are involved here and that Botànic’s plan is seen as political pressure on this governing body, at least at the political level.
Citizens submit action proposals for Vega Baja to the Generalitat’s Vega Renhace Plan
Vega Renhace was created to initiate projects aimed at reducing flood impacts in Vega Baja. Critics argued that later actions extended beyond the initial scope to include investments in education and health. Two regional actions stand out: one in 2021 with 16 million euros and another in 2022 with 13.5 million euros. Proponents emphasize Puig’s visible political commitment and note that the Consell’s presence in the region has grown significantly. They even point out that PSPV did not lose votes in the latest elections despite the Popular Party’s growth, underscoring regional support for the plan.
The Vega Baja situation is reminiscent of the Elche case, including the Generalitat’s debt of 43 million euros related to land used for Miguel Hernández University. In this context, Puig, a former PSPV president, signed a protocol regarding the debt payment last autumn. The Consell contends that the document is not binding, while still arguing that the Management has a genuine plan to allocate additional funds for Elche in the budgets.
One symbol of the dispute is the Marqués de Rafal Palace in Orihuela, reflecting contrasting visions of Botànic’s actions. Critics contend the palace was included as part of an anti-flooding project without realignment, while supporters say the Generalitat purchased it for 2.4 million euros—half of what owners sought—demonstrating the Consell’s commitment to Vega Baja as a key regional hub. The palace’s status has intensified the disagreement, as the Consell announced its closure due to disrepair and licensing issues, with the Mazón administration planning not to open a building bought by the Generalitat in 2022 because of its poor condition and accessibility problems.
The overall debate shows sharp divergence between PP and PSPV-PSOE over Vega Renhace, from funding priorities to the use of regional assets, illustrating ongoing tensions within regional governance while aiming to address the region’s flood-related challenges and long-term resilience.