# Valencia IVC hiring controversy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/valencia-ivc-hiring-controversy > Updated: 2026-07-31T04:31:42.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. In late July 2026, the Institut Valencià de Cultura (IVC) faced criticism after deputy director María José Hernández Mora applied for two technical cultural‑management positions, prompting accusations of a conflict of interest. Opposition parties and arts‑sector groups demanded her resignation from the tribunal overseeing the competition. Mora withdrew her candidacy, stating there was no incompatibility. Two days later, the IVC announced the rules for a public competition to select a new director‑general. The three‑phase process will evaluate candidates on curriculum, a strategic management project, and an interview. The announcement came while the institute remained under interim leadership by Ignacio Prieto, following the departure of the previous director‑general, and amid ongoing scrutiny of the hiring practices that led to Mora’s withdrawal. Both events illustrate the continuation of a controversy surrounding the institute’s recruitment procedures and the perceived ethical implications of senior staff participating in selection processes. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-31: Institut Valencià de Cultura launches director‑general selection amid controversy The Institut Valencià de Cultura announced a public, points‑based process to select its director‑general while dealing with criticism after deputy director María José Mora applied for a technical post and later 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/institut-valenci-de-cultura-launches-directorgeneral-selection-amid-controversy ### 2026-07-29: Deputy Director María José Hernández Mora withdraws from IVC cultural technician selection amid conflict-of-interest out María José Hernández Mora quit her candidacy for IVC cultural‑technician posts after sector groups and the PSPV warned of a conflict of interest, urging her to resign if she wants to compete. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/deputy-director-mara-jos-hernndez-mora-withdraws-from-ivc-cultural-technician-selection-amid-conflic --- Cite as: Valencia IVC hiring controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/valencia-ivc-hiring-controversy