 "Valencia President Carlos Mazón steps down after mismanagement of deadly floods")
Carlos Mazón, the embattled president of Spain’s eastern region of Valencia, has announced his resignation, bowing to intense public fury and political pressure over his administration’s handling of the deadly floods that devastated the region just over a year ago.
The conservative People’s party (PP) leader had clung to power despite mounting calls for him to step down after a disaster in late 2024 claimed the lives of 229 people.
‘I can’t go on anymore’
Mazón’s decision comes after a year of relentless criticism, culminating in a state memorial service last week where he was reportedly greeted with shouts of “murderer” and “coward.”
He yielded to the pressure on Monday, telling reporters: “I can’t go on anymore,” though he also used the speech to launch a fierce criticism of the national government’s response to the crisis.
The core of the controversy centres on Mazón’s actions as the floods peaked.
It emerged that he spent over three hours having lunch with a journalist as citizens were drowning in their homes and cars.
Mazón had insisted he kept up to date by phone during the lunch. He has previously defended his administration, saying: “There was no government in the world that has the tools to alter, stop or avoid an episode of torrential rains.”
Botched emergency response under scrutiny
Public anger was compounded by the significant delay in issuing emergency alerts.
The crucial mobile phone alert, intended to warn residents, was not sent until 8:11 pm on the day of the disaster—by which time most of the victims had already drowned. Mazón himself did not arrive at the Integrated Operational Coordination Centre (Cecopi) until 8:28 pm.
A recent public survey found that 75% of Valencians believed Mazón should resign, and massive demonstrations have been held under the slogan, “Mud on our hands, blood on his.”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsMazón’s resignation takes place amid a heightened legal and legislative atmosphere. A congressional inquiry into the events of October 29, 2024, is currently underway in Madrid.
Simultaneously, a judge in Valencia is conducting an investigation to determine if there is evidence of crimes of reckless homicide and injury caused by negligence.
The investigating judge, Nuria Ruiz Tobarra, has described the disaster as “a Dantesque episode, a real hell of destruction,” noting “overwhelming evidence of negligent conduct” and an “unbearable delay in sending alerts to people.”
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