“Militancy rules and decides; There are no favorites,” said the mayor of Mislata and general secretary of the PSPV, Carlos Fernández Bielsa, after formally presenting the documentation to lead the Valencian socialist federation. Bielsa - asked about Minister Diana Morant's favoritism for being part of Pedro Sánchez's cabinet, whose candidacy will be announced this afternoon - insisted: "Favorites should not exist."
Surrounded by grassroots militants and with mayors such as Paterna, Sagunto or Benetússer camouflaged among the public numbers that have made the PSPV headquarters too small, Bielsa has insisted on putting "the militancy at the center", respecting the groups and supporting them real form to the regions.
The mayor of Mislata has stated that "the PSPV needs a calm change from generosity to make a more autonomous, solvent, united party." An idea of self-reliance that he has reiterated on several occasions. Of course, he has indicated that his intention is to build a party model that is "harmonious with the policies of Pedro Sánchez" but "claimant to defend the interests of the citizens of Alicante, Valencia and Castellón." "I want to be an asset for the party, for the government of Spain and for Pedro Sánchez," he said.
And in his intervention before the media, Bielsa has avoided any confrontation and has recalled highlighting the figures of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Pedro Sánchez and Ximo Puig. Regarding the latter, he has made it clear that although "the party is not starting from scratch because Puig has set the bar for honorability very high", the PSPV "needs to reformulate itself, renew itself and boost itself politically."
After the formulation of Bielsa's candidacy, the general secretary of the province of Alicante, Alejandro Soler, entered the headquarters, and also delivered all the necessary documentation to apply for the process.
In a speech very similar to that of Bielsa (with the exception of not using the "autonomous project" approach), the deputy for Alicante has reiterated his message of presenting himself as the candidate for militancy. Asked about Morant's candidacy, Soler pointed out that it is the militants who decide so "we all have the same opportunities."
Furthermore, he pointed out that "the PSOE has shown its impartiality" and that his candidacy is not posed as "a challenge to anyone."
Soler has not hidden the possibility of reaching an agreement and has shown more harmony with Bielsa than with the minister - "we both defend more weight of the provinces" - although he has ended up pointing out that the process that is now beginning will resolve the doubts about the compatibility of different projects. She has thrown a dart at Morant: although she has recognized that "anything is possible", she has pointed out that the fact of being a minister "takes up your time" and "makes it difficult" to run the party.
