Expats in regional parliament

Alfaz del Pi mayor and regional MP Vicente Arques invites several local expat association representatives to 'get to know' the regional government

A group of expats, including CBNews' Irena Bodnarec, were invited by Alfaz mayor and regional MP Vicente Arques to visit the regional parliament in Valencia this week to gain a better understanding of how it is run.

IN ORDER to help better understand the workings of the regional government in Valencia, Alfaz council invited a number of foreign associations to the city on Tuesday.

Alfaz mayor Vicente Arques is a regional MP at the Valencian parliament and spends two days a week there, fulfilling his obligations.

A regional autonomous government in Spain can best be described as a devolved government similar to the UK’s Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish assembly.

They have certain powers and can create independent laws and taxes, but overall power still comes from Madrid. This is what all the conflict in Cataluña is about - they want to sever all ties with the central government.

Accompanied by Martine Mertens, councillor for foreign residents, and Elisabeth Marandi from the town hall, 11 invited guests representing the Sociedad Música Clásica, Club Los Holandeses, Club Noruego Costa Blanca, Club Petanca Amistad, Companians and Mas Amigos attended.

In the morning, they visited the Palau de la Generalitat, the presidential offices of the regional government, where they had a guided tour of the 15th century building and stunning rooms, with a mix of Gothic and Renaissance features.

The regional government is composed of a number of institutions responsible for the selfgoverning Valencia region – which Alfaz falls under.

The current regional president is socialist Ximo Puig, who took office in June 2015.

After lunch, the group visited the parliament, with a guided tour.

They were able to sit in the chamber in the deputies' seats to get a full hands-on experience – and Vicente Arques even popped in to greet everyone.

Unfortunately, the weather was somewhat inclement – unpleasantly cold and wet - so some of the planned activities had to be cancelled.