A political scandal has erupted in the Valencia municipality: Vox, a party in the ruling coalition with the People’s Party (PP), has refused to support the introduction of a low-emission zone (ZBE). This decision was made during a plenary session where the fate of the new environmental regulation, set to take effect as early as December, was being discussed.
As a result of the vote, the People’s Party was left alone in defending the project, which had previously been agreed upon by both coalition partners. The opposition parties Compromís and PSPV-PSOE also voted against it, but for a different reason: they believe the proposed measures are too weak and will not meaningfully improve air quality in the city.
The core of this controversial initiative was to restrict access to the city for older vehicles without environmental badges, registered outside the province of Valencia. However, for local residents, these restrictions were only set to come into force in 2028. Vox justified its refusal by claiming that such measures are imposed from outside and infringe upon citizens’ freedom of movement. In their view, these projects are being pushed under pressure from European institutions and the central government.
At the same time, opposition representatives accused city hall of ineffectiveness and warned that significant European grants aimed at developing clean transport and reducing pollution could be lost. According to their estimates, some 115 million euros are at stake, now likely to be lost along with additional transport subsidies.
Political crisis and demands for resignation
After the vote failed, a heated debate erupted in the chamber. The opposition demanded the immediate resignation of the official in charge of transport and the termination of the coalition agreement with Vox. In their view, continued cooperation with a party that denies the need to fight pollution damages not only the city’s image but also the health of its residents.
The Socialists offered a compromise: to change the parameters of the low-emission zone, expand its boundaries, and adjust the timeline for introducing restrictions. However, the People’s Party refused to make concessions, insisting on the original plan. As a result, neither side managed to convince the others, and the project was rejected.
Consequences for the city
The failure of the initiative could bring not only financial losses for Valencia but also sanctions from European institutions. The city risks losing support for developing transport infrastructure and modernizing public transit. Moreover, the lack of a clear environmental policy could negatively affect Valencia’s reputation among other major cities in Spain.
The situation remains tense: further discussions are expected soon and possibly a review of coalition agreements. The issue of the low-emission zone’s future and the fate of European investments remains unresolved.
