Ximo Puig faces criticism for appointing his partner’s nephew as driver. PP, Vox, and Compromís question the move, while PSPV defends it as legal. The debate highlights ongoing tensions over political appointments.
The recent decision by former Valencian president Ximo Puig to appoint the nephew of his partner, ex-councillor Gabriela Bravo, as his official driver has triggered sharp criticism from opposition parties. The move, formalized after the previous driver left for personal reasons, was published in the Diari Oficial de la Generalitat Valenciana and has reignited debate over political appointments in the region.
Representatives from PP, Vox, and Compromís have all voiced concerns about the selection process. Nando Pastor, PP spokesperson in Les Corts, accused the PSPV of double standards, recalling their earlier criticism of the current president’s partner’s appointment in the Diputació de València. Pastor argued that the current situation mirrors the very practices the PSPV previously condemned, but now involves a relative of Puig’s partner.
Compromís spokesperson Joan Baldoví questioned the necessity of a driver for Puig, who is now based in Paris as Spain’s ambassador to the OECD. Baldoví also challenged the need for drivers for other former presidents, suggesting that official vehicles should be requested only for specific events. Vox’s José María Llanos described the incident as anecdotal but stressed that public officials should avoid even the appearance of favoritism, noting that other qualified candidates may have been overlooked.
In response, PSPV’s parliamentary leader José Muñoz defended the appointment, emphasizing that the role is one of free designation, a practice common across political parties and administrations. Muñoz pointed to similar cases involving relatives of politicians from other parties, such as the sister of María José Catalá and the brother of Susana Camarero, to argue that such appointments are not unique to the PSPV. He also clarified that Puig does not receive salaries from both his ambassadorial and ex-president roles, and that his office continues to serve a political function.
The controversy has also prompted Compromís to propose removing privileges for all former presidents, a move the PP dismissed as a distraction from the core issue. The debate reflects broader tensions over the boundaries of political appointments and the ethics of hiring family members for public roles. As noted in a recent reshuffle within PSOE’s Senate leadership, questions about internal party appointments and transparency remain a recurring theme in Spanish politics.
Under Spanish law, positions of trust such as drivers for former presidents are often filled by direct appointment, allowing officeholders to select individuals from their personal or political circles. While this practice is legal, it frequently draws scrutiny when family ties are involved. The current debate in Valencia highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing legal frameworks with public expectations of impartiality and transparency in government staffing. The issue also underscores the persistent friction between parties over the use of public resources and the standards applied to political figures after they leave office.
