Francisco Camps takes the plunge: "I want to be president of the Valencian People's Party again."

Valencia"I want to return to being the president of the Valencian People's Party (PP)." Former Council leader Francisco Camps confirmed this Wednesday what he had been hinting at for weeks, something that senior PP officials hadn't wanted to hear. The announcement came despite opposition from the regional and state leadership, which had asked him to postpone any decision so as not to open an internal battle, weaken the figure of the controversial Carlos Mazón, and divert focus from the reconstruction after the DANA.

At an event held in Valencia surrounded by his most loyal followers, Camps explained that when the Valencian People's Party (PP) congress is convened—possibly during the second half of 2026—he will present his candidacy to lead it. Furthermore, and in a clear reference to Mazón, he also explained that his plans do not include presiding over the Generalitat (Catalan government) and that he wants to assume the new responsibility in collaboration "with all the current officials" in the party.

To justify a return that many find strange, Camps has asserted what he considers a "legitimate right" earned through years of loyalty to the Conservative party. "I've been silent day after day, one Congress after another, and I've never complained," he emphasized.

Despite his kind words, the former head of the Consell has also criticized the fact that current PP officials do not claim his legacy or defend it. "Doesn't it seem like loyalty to you to have read what I've read, heard what I've heard, and to endure, and endure, and endure? Why did I endure? For you, for the people who have always believed in me," he said amid shouts of "president."

The rally was held at the Hotel Palau Alameda in Valencia, a regular venue for the PP's election parties when they were led by Camps and former mayor Rita Barberá. In fact, the PP leader himself has repeatedly cited the symbolism of the chosen building. The choice of representative locations in the history of Valencian conservatives has been a constant in the comeback campaign launched by the former president after his acquittal a year ago.

As happened in May at another event, this Wednesday the Valencian politician's supporters interrupted him with applause on numerous occasions. "Today is the most important day of my political life," responded an emotional Camps. The difference with the previous rally was that the former head of the Consell verbalized his objective and also outlined it more clearly, excluding the Generalitat, at least from the outset.

Alfonso Rus and Carlos Fabra as squires

For his comeback campaign, the former head of the Council has significant support. Among them are the former presidents of the Valencia and Castellón provincial councils, Alfonso Rus and Carlos Fabra. The former head of government has also forged an alliance with the former mayor of Alicante, Sonia Castedo, which helps him compensate for the absence of provincial leaders from Alicante, a territory that politically belongs to the former head of the Council, Eduardo Zaplana, and therefore to Mazón.