In recent months, personnel changes in Valencia’s government agencies have once again come under the spotlight. The urgent appointment of a secretary at the Diputación de Valencia has sparked discussion not only among officials, but also among local residents. Questions have arisen not only about the procedure itself, but also about the person appointed to the position.
As El Pais reports, in early March the Diputación de Valencia approved a transfer for service needs for Vanesa Soler, who previously worked as an administrative employee at the town hall of Finestrat (Alicante). This municipality was, until recently, headed by the current president of the Generalitat Valenciana, Juan Francisco Pérez Llorca. Now Soler has taken the vacant secretary position in the provincial administration, with an annual salary of €52,070.
Procedure and reasons
Officially, the decision was explained by an “urgent need” to fill a vacancy that had remained open since autumn 2025. According to El Pais, the procedure took place in the form of a staff commission, which allows civil servants to be transferred between different government departments. The administration states that the choice was made based on Soler’s experience and professional qualifications, and that the selection process was open to other candidates, although the exact number of applicants has not been disclosed.
According to internal documents, Soler assumed her duties on March 4 and will remain in the position for at least six months, or until circumstances specified by law require the termination of her mandate. In her new role, she is responsible for administrative coordination, record-keeping, and overseeing the work of the leadership. Notably, the salary in this new position is nearly double what Soler previously earned in Finestrat, where, according to union estimates, her annual salary was about €25,652.
Context and reactions
The appointment sparked a wave of discussion since Soler is the partner of the head of the Generalitat Valenciana. At the same time, representatives of the Diputación de Valencia emphasize that all actions followed standard administrative procedures. Additionally, it is pointed out that Soler has worked in the civil service system since 2008 and has the necessary experience for her new responsibilities.
The administration also links the urgency of the appointment to the need to speed up the recovery of municipalities affected by the destructive storms of 2024. The Generalitat Valenciana, for its part, refers to the official position of the provincial administration. As reported by El Pais, Soler herself could not be reached for comment.
Political context
The situation is unfolding against the backdrop of recent leadership changes in the region. Pérez Llorca became president of the Generalitat in December 2025 following the resignation of his predecessor, Carlos Mazón, who stepped down amid criticism over his actions during the disaster on October 29, 2024. The new regional leader maintains close working ties with Diputación de Valencia chairman Vicente Mompó, a point that has also sparked discussion among politicians and experts.
Political observers note that such staffing decisions may influence public trust in the authorities. There are also memories of other cases where key appointments sparked controversy. For example, in Marsene, an investigation into the former mayor’s spending brought renewed focus on municipal transparency, as explored in detail in the report on the audit of the former city leader’s activities.
Reference: similar cases
In recent years, Spain has repeatedly seen controversy over officials being appointed to high-paying positions through expedited or simplified procedures. In 2023, Madrid debated the transfer of a city hall employee to the regional government with a substantial salary increase, which triggered protests from trade unions. In Catalonia in 2024, a similar episode led to an internal audit following complaints about a lack of transparency in hiring processes. These cases highlight that issues of staffing policy and transparency remain relevant for the entire country.
