Llorca shakes up the Valencian government and will take over language policy

The new president of the Valencian Generalitat, Juanfran Pérez Llorca, has shaken up the Valencian government but has respected the foundations laid by Carlos Mazón, whose right-hand man he was in the Valencian Parliament (Les Corts) and the People's Party (PP). The result is a more profound reshuffle than it first appears, with eight ministers remaining and three new ones joining. One of those who has kept their position is the first vice president, Susana Camarero, who gains the responsibilities for Housing and Employment, retains those for Youth and Equality, and relinquishes those for Social Services, as well as the role of spokesperson. Conversely, one of those affected by the reshuffle is Mazón's personal friend and former Minister of Education, Culture, Universities, and Employment, José Antonio Rovira, who leaves this key portfolio and will assume the Finance portfolio, previously held by the independent and former Ciudadanos leader, Ruth Merino. The role of the Valencian Language Academy (AVL)

A key change is that the Presidency Department will assume responsibility for Language Policy, and the head of the Council himself will lead this particularly sensitive matter. Despite appearances, the politician from Finestrat does not want to make changes to the education policy implemented by Mazón, but he does want it to be less controversial. In a conversation with journalists after the announcement, he explained that he is a staunch defender of what the PP and Vox call "educational freedom," and, as he did in his inaugural address, he emphasized his belief in the Valencian Language Academy, but stressed that it should not perform language promotion functions, but rather operate solely as one. One of the most important decisions has been the appointment of the spokesperson for the Consell, a role that will be filled by the Minister of Agriculture and Water, Miguel Barrachina, with whom Pérez Llorca worked when he was spokesperson in the Parliament and Barrachina was deputy spokesperson. This is a tough profile that will allow him to continue Camarero's policies. The move mirrors the approach taken in the Valencian Parliament (Les Corts), where the head of the Valencian government has appointed Nando Pastor, also a highly conservative and controversial figure, as spokesperson.

Communications policy has also undergone a profound overhaul. The president has announced the creation of the second vice-presidency and Ministry of the Presidency, which will be headed by the current Director General of Strategic Projects, Pepe Díez Climent, who will also assume the role of Secretary of the Consell (Valencian Government). Furthermore, Henar Molinero will be the new Regional Secretary of the Presidency. She is a former high-ranking official under Francisco Camps, whom she accompanied during the trial in the "suits case." The same applies to Jacobo Navarro, the new Regional Secretary of Analysis, Studies, and Public Policy. In addition, the current president of À Punt, Vicente Ordaz, will leave his post to assume the Regional Secretary of Communications. This is a noteworthy appointment, given that it stems from a recently initiated renewal project for the broadcaster. Pérez Llorca took the opportunity to explain that the replacement could be used to allow opposition groups to rejoin the board of directors of the public company.

As expected, the DANA storm has been a major factor in the reshuffle. The Presidency announced that Pérez Llorca will request a meeting with the Spanish President, Pedro Sánchez, and the creation of the joint commission between the State and the Generalitat (Catalan government) that was denied to Carlos Mazón. Also noteworthy is the creation of a commissioner for the DANA recovery efforts, a position to be held by Raúl Mérida, the current regional secretary for the Environment.

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