The Spanish Language Academy denounces the "frontal attack" on Valencian by the PP and Vox.

ValenciaThe president of the Valencian Academy of Language (AVL), Verónica Cantó, denounced this Friday that Valencian and the institution itself are experiencing "one of the most critical moments" in their "recent history" and, therefore, calls on society as a whole "not to internalize or normalize hate speech, but to combat it." She said this in a forceful speech during the opening of the 2025-2026 academic year.

Cantó described 2025 as an "unprecedented, tough, and difficult" year, and one of "extreme complexity due to a concatenation of certain events, originating in the governmental sphere, which have represented a frontal attack on Valencian and everything done in the language." In this regard, she denounced the 25 percent budget cut for the entity, which has rendered the institution's activity virtually "inoperative." "Never before have destabilizing and delegitimizing attempts been expressed so clearly," she added.

The president of the AVL (Valencian Nationalist Party) stated that "no one expected them to go so far [referring to the PP and Vox] in such a serious act of irresponsibility, to the point of breaking consensus that took a lot of effort to achieve." Cantó criticized the fact that "radical positions" contrary to the Statute of Autonomy "are being taken up by those who have the responsibility to shed light, to govern a people like the Valencian people with a high sense of institutionality, and to not reopen closed wounds or identity debates that have already been overcome."

Verònica Cantó also called on the Valencian government to respect the Academy as a statutory institution. "We ask that they allow us to work for Valencian as we have done for the past 25 years, building and not destroying, collaborating and not stumbling, because philological debate, like all scientific debates, requires serenity, tranquility, and a vision for the future; that they not contribute to pitting Valencians against each other by promoting Valencian policies, and that they not cut back on its promotion," she emphasized.

The president's speech also included moments of gratitude for the support received during such critical times. "We have had the support of many groups and many anonymous individuals who have not only expressed their rejection of the attacks and cuts to Valencian and this institution, but have also denounced the linguistic flat-earthism to which we Valencian speakers are subjected." Finally, she expressed her gratitude for the manifesto in defense of the language promoted by Valencian writers and for the financial support of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.