Valencia's Carlos Mazón Resigns Amid Flood Handling Outrage

Carlos Mazón, the president of Valencia in eastern Spain, has stepped down in response to intense public backlash and political pressure regarding his mishandling of catastrophic floods that claimed 229 lives over a year ago. The conservative People’s Party (PP) member faced mounting calls for his resignation after it was revealed he spent over three hours dining with a journalist while floods ravaged the region, leaving many trapped in their homes, garages, and vehicles.

crypto Mazón’s refusal to resign ignited widespread protests across Valencia, where demonstrators carried signs emblazoned with the slogan: “Mud on our hands, blood on his.” A survey conducted recently indicated that a staggering 75% of the local population believed Mazón should resign. Finally succumbing to the inevitable, he announced his resignation on Monday, stating, “I can’t go on anymore,” during a press conference where he harshly criticized the national government’s handling of the situation.

In his address, Mazón did not clarify whether he would call for a snap election or if he would resign from his position in the regional assembly, which would strip him of parliamentary immunity. Additionally, he did not disclose who would serve as his interim successor.

Throughout the crisis, Mazón maintained that “no government in the world has the tools to alter, stop or avoid an episode of torrential rains that end up pummelling historical rainfall records in a given area at a given time.” He also insisted that he was kept informed of the evolving situation via phone during his lunch with journalist Maribel Vilaplana.

However, public anger intensified over how his administration responded to the crisis, especially regarding the delay in sending emergency alerts to residents’ mobile phones until after 8 PM on the day of the floods. The peak of public outrage was felt during a state memorial service held last Wednesday, marking the first anniversary of the disaster, where Mazón was met with shouts of “murderer,” “coward,” and “you should be in prison.”

Earlier that day, Mazón had acknowledged that “there were things that should have worked better,” admitting to shortcomings in the response to the disaster.

A congressional inquiry is currently underway to investigate the events of October 29, 2024. Additionally, a judge in Valencia is examining whether there is evidence of reckless homicide and injury due to negligence, which could have contributed to the preventable deaths.

Vilaplana, the journalist involved, has stated that their lunch began at 3 PM and lasted until approximately 6:30 PM or 6:45 PM. She claimed to have been oblivious to the severity of the situation developing in the region at the time. “At some point during the meal, the president began receiving calls that repeatedly interrupted our conversation,” Vilaplana noted. “I remained in the restaurant, completely unaware of these communications. I didn’t ask questions, participate, or even learn about their content, and the president never expressed any concerns to me about them.”

Vilaplana is scheduled to testify before the judge in Valencia on Monday, which may shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the handling of the crisis.

Mazón's resignation marks a significant moment in Valencia's political landscape, reflecting the public's demand for accountability in governance. As investigations proceed, the focus will remain on ensuring that such tragedies are handled with the urgency and responsibility they warrant, preventing future loss of life due to administrative failures.