Carlos Mazón, the Valencian People’s Party candidate for the presidency of the Generalitat, formally endorsed José Vegara as his pick for Orihuela. Legal proceedings are seeking up to seven years in total for certain offenses. Vegara opened the day by presenting the morning slate, and although Mazón publicly disputed the reports in a pre-campaign event on Friday alongside the party’s second-in-command, Cuca Gamarra, the situation remains a topic of intense discussion. The matter had already been shelved eight years ago, according to some sources, as discussions unfolded behind the scenes.
Candidacy
In the afternoon, despite the nomination being announced early in the day, national leadership members pressed Mazón to propose an alternative candidate. They reasoned that the eventual choice would face legal deadlines and could set a troubling example for the party’s renewal project, particularly under a leadership that has had ongoing legal scrutiny linked to fiscal matters. Alberto Núñez Feijóo and others urged caution about the people placed on municipal and regional lists, aiming to avoid appearances of conflict or impropriety.
Indeed, Mazón defended his position with a detailed argument, while Víctor Valverde, a long-standing member of parliament loyal to the party, was considered as a potential replacement during the discussions about the candidate’s processing. When questioned by reporters at a Orihuela restaurant last Friday, Vegara maintained that the issues at hand did not constitute corruption, arguing that the examples cited could not be directly equated with cases involving mayors or candidates from other parties. Vegara noted that convictions, investigations, or ongoing trials involving public office holders were not comparable to the current situation, a point later echoed by Puig on Saturday.
Red line
Vegara and Mazón both framed the debate around ethical boundaries. The party emphasized the importance of a clean record for those elected, arguing that a candidate with a pending legal matter could cast a shadow over the broader reform agenda and the campaign to modernize municipal governance. Vegara, a newer face in the arena, sought to reassure supporters by highlighting a campaign focused on renewal, while the shadow of a legal process involving a public concession and vehicle inspections potentially harmed both Vegara and Mazón for how the case had been handled.
The Generalitat candidate reiterated that the facts of the case did not arise from his public administration and argued that the events occurred many years earlier. Vegara responded to recent statements, offering his own take on where the party’s red lines should lie and what constituents might expect in terms of standards and accountability.
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Those with ongoing court proceedings related to political actions should face dismissal, Vegara asserted, stressing a commitment to integrity and transparency. He argued that dragging in a case from 16 years ago should not define current leadership. He added that politics should avoid becoming dirty, dishonest, and contemptible, underscoring that a lawsuit filed in 2015 should not be treated as if it reflected direct management decisions.
When Emilio Bascuñana arrived at the announcement, Vegara greeted him in a photograph alongside Eva Ortiz, Cuca Gamarra, and Carlos Mazón, a moment captured in the media. It reflected a broader coalition of figures aligned with the campaign and its long-term vision for Orihuela.
“Employee of One of My Companies”
Vegara addressed a historical issue dating back to 2007, in which an employee of one of his companies was associated with a problematic administration that later led to a treasury inquiry. Vegara stated that he bore no direct responsibility for that person’s actions and explained that, years later, the treasury had attributed joint responsibility to other board members as well. He indicated that his lawyers have advised him that the case remains open, but he insisted that there has been no direct linkage to his administration and no documented signature binding him to the case. Vegara noted the absence of any personal charges tied to his acts and emphasized his commitment to clearing the air through proper legal channels.
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The candidate list features the previous administration team alongside councilor Víctor Valverde and several other named council members. A starting position is allocated to independent Vicente Pina López. Antonio Cerdán, leader of the Claro party, has joined the popular list independently at position 14, signaling a broad cross-section of regional figures aligning with the overall strategy for Orihuela.
As the campaign unfolds, both Vegara and Mazón maintain that the themes of accountability, renewal, and transparent governance will guide their approach, aiming to reassure voters that integrity remains at the heart of municipal leadership. The dialogue continues to focus on how past actions are interpreted in the context of present responsibilities and the standards expected of elected representatives. [Attribution: Local political reporting]