An internal party conflict erupted within Compromís after discussions about Mónica Oltra’s candidacy for mayor of Valencia took place without her participation. It was expected that the former vice-president would attend the meeting of the city’s executive coalition; however, on the morning of the meeting, Papi Robles, current Compromís representative in the city council, informed Oltra that only internal procedures would be discussed. As a result, Oltra, who holds no official position, decided not to attend.
Disagreements within the coalition
After the meeting, Papi Robles emphasized that Compromís still supports Mónica Oltra’s candidacy for the 2027 mayoral election. She tried to defuse the situation, noting that sometimes dialogue does not lead to results, but the work continues. According to Robles, the party has publicly expressed its satisfaction with Oltra’s return and is ready to give her a spot on the list if she decides to run.
However, the process of agreeing on a candidacy is complicated by the need to establish internal mechanisms and form working groups to prepare for the elections. During this period, organizational disputes within the coalition typically intensify. Compromís consists of two main factions: Més Compromís, to which Robles belongs, and Iniciativa, where Oltra is a member. The goal is to create a united left-wing alternative to PSPV-PSOE, but forming a common list may increase tensions between the groups.
Support and formal procedures
Robles stated that the executive body of Compromís wanted to personally express their support for Oltra, since the party values direct contact. Nevertheless, the official nomination must go through formal procedures, including discussion and voting at the assembly, as was the case with Joan Ribó, who served as mayor of Valencia from 2015 to 2023. Robles added that the party is ready to expedite the process in order to begin preparing the campaign to regain control of the mayor’s office as soon as possible.
The question of the future composition of the Compromís list remains open. Robles noted that candidate status entails certain commitments, but the details will be decided by the appropriate party bodies. She emphasized the importance of creating conditions for direct dialogue with Oltra and separating personal relationships from organizational procedures. According to her, Oltra’s political ethics deserve respect, and the party intends to act properly to ensure her official nomination.
Context and reaction
Plans to unite left-wing forces around Oltra’s candidacy have already attracted interest from Podemos and Esquerra Unida, although these parties are not represented in the city council. Compromís expects the coordination process to be as transparent as possible and to strengthen the coalition’s position in the municipal elections. As Europa Press notes, the discussion of Oltra’s candidacy coincided with a period when debates over forming electoral lists are intensifying in other regions of Spain. For example, a major loan package was recently approved in Catalonia, which was also accompanied by internal debates — more details can be found in the article on the Catalan parliament’s decision regarding additional funding.
