Alberto Núñez Feijóo declined to clarify support for Juanfran Pérez Llorca as PP candidate in 2027. The party remains divided in Valencia, with key decisions on leadership and regional congress still unresolved.
Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the Partido Popular, sidestepped direct questions about whether Juanfran Pérez Llorca will be the party's candidate for the Generalitat Valenciana in 2027, leaving the PP in Valencia without clear direction on its future leadership. The issue, which has fueled internal debate for months, remained unresolved after a major party event in Sueca attended by over 1,000 members and the entire Valencian executive.
The gathering, organized by provincial president Vicent Mompó, was closely watched for signals on the party's next moves. Despite recent public support for other local leaders—such as the confirmation that Luís Barcala will run again for mayor of Alicante—Feijóo refrained from offering similar backing to Llorca or announcing plans for a long-awaited regional congress. This congress, repeatedly requested by Llorca, is seen as crucial for legitimizing his leadership following his appointment six months ago after Carlos Mazón's resignation.
During his speech, Feijóo shifted focus to national politics, sharply criticizing the current government led by Pedro Sánchez. He described the present as a period of severe institutional decline, highlighting the lack of approved national budgets and alleging widespread corruption affecting Sánchez's inner circle. Feijóo argued that the government's inability to pass a budget signals a failure to govern, and he accused Sánchez of prioritizing personal privileges over effective leadership.
Feijóo also linked the government's performance to broader administrative paralysis, referencing issues such as power outages, healthcare disputes, and delays in medical procedures. He insisted that if a government cannot govern, it is up to citizens to intervene through democratic means. The PP leader further denounced what he called a decline in public ethics, referencing a series of scandals involving figures like Tito Berni, Koldo García, and José Luis Ábalos, and claimed that each new case deepens the moral crisis.
He was particularly critical of former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, questioning explanations about a large sum of money found in a safe and accusing Zapatero of misleading the public and compromising those around him. Feijóo maintained that, regardless of legal outcomes, dishonesty had been demonstrated.
Addressing accusations from the PSOE regarding so-called 'cloacas del Estado' (state dirty tricks), Feijóo turned the charge back on Sánchez, arguing that responsibility for any wrongdoing lies with the current government. He stated that ignorance of such issues would indicate incompetence, while awareness would imply corruption.
Feijóo also criticized the Congress for blocking votes on motions to call general elections, accusing Sánchez of fearing both the judiciary and the legislature. He concluded that a growing majority of Spaniards are demanding political change, expressing confidence that such change is inevitable.
On regional matters, Feijóo addressed the contentious issue of autonomous community financing, promising that the Comunitat Valenciana would be a priority for a future PP government. He pledged to end what he described as discrimination against the region and rejected bilateral deals with Catalonia or the Basque Country, insisting that fair funding must apply equally across Spain. Feijóo described the Valencian Community as a key economic and demographic engine for the country, underlining its importance in any national political shift.
For context, the Partido Popular has faced ongoing internal disputes in Valencia since Llorca took over leadership after Mazón's departure. The lack of clarity on the regional congress and future candidacies has heightened uncertainty within the party. The debate over regional financing remains a central issue in Spanish politics, with the Valencian Community frequently citing underfunding compared to other regions. Nationally, the absence of a state budget and repeated corruption allegations have intensified political polarization, making leadership decisions in key regions like Valencia especially significant ahead of future elections.
