The unveiling of a string of corruption scandals during the 2011–2015 period involving the party in power, coupled with allegations of abuse of power and perceived poor management of the economic situation, had taken its toll in the ruling People's Party (PP), which went on to suffer a dramatic decline, losing over half of its vote share and city councillors and scoring its worst result since 1991.

The Socialist Party of the Valencian Country (PSPV–PSOE), unable to capitalize on the PP losses, continued its long-term decline and fell to fourth place, with its votes being drawn away to both Compromís and newly created Podemos-led Valencia in Common coalition.

As a result of the election, with the PP unable to command a majority of seats in the city council even with the support of C's, Barberá was ousted from office after 24 years of government, being succeeded by Compromís candidate Joan Ribó.

The PP benefitted from the PSOE's collapse, which helped cement its landslide victory by an absolute majority of seats in the 2011 general election held on 20 November and paving the way for the investiture of Mariano Rajoy as new prime minister.

[3][4] The following years saw the unveiling of a series of corruption scandals affecting the PP, involving party deputies,[5] mayors,[6] local councillors,[7] two Corts's speakers[8] and former regional president José Luis Olivas.

The regional executive was forced to ask for a bailout from the central government headed by Rajoy in July 2012,[13] with its economic situation remaining severe because of high unemployment and debt.

The decision of Fabra's government to close down RTVV, the regional public television broadcasting channel, because of financing issues, was also met with widespread protests.

The leaked bills, a total of 466 throughout the legislature amounting to expenditures of 278,000 euros, included payments for air travel, train tickets, car trips, hotels and restaurants.

Compromís candidate Joan Ribó commented that "at a time when there are 85,000 unemployed in Valencia and it is the city with the highest number of evictions per capita, it is obscene, unsupportive and unethical to find all of these luxury expenses".

Such recordings involved senior party officials, such as Xàtiva Mayor and President of the Valencia Deputation Alfonso Rus, in an alleged illegal financing network of the Valencian PP.

In her concession speech, Barberá stated that "I come with dignity, pride and gratitude to all Valencians that have allowed me to be mayor for 24 years", commenting on her party's result—which lost over half of its 2011 vote and city councillors—that "it is a bad result, I will not hide from it".

[36] As a result of the three left-from-centre parties reaching an agreement to take power over the city, Joan Ribó was appointed as new mayor of Valencia on 13 June 2015 thanks to the votes of Compromís, the PSPV and VALC.

[40] Judicial investigation pointed to former Mayor Rita Barberá also being involved in the scandal—that also covered the possible illegal funding of her 2015 election run[41]—with her arrest or imputation only being prevented by the fact she had legal protection as an incumbent senator.