Valencia protesters demand Mazón’s resignation

Thousands of protestors marched through Valencia demanding the resignation of regional president Carlos Mazón over his administration's handling of catastrophic floods that claimed more than 200 lives in October 2024. Five months after Spain's deadliest natural disaster in decades, public anger remains palpable as demonstrators filled the city center, brandishing signs and chanting against Mazón while symbolically playing the emergency alert they claim was issued too late.

The protests mark the sixth major demonstration since the floods devastated the Valencia region. Critics argue that local and national officials failed to provide timely warnings, potentially costing lives as torrential rains overwhelmed the area. The disaster resulted in over 200 fatalities, with the vast majority occurring in Valencia province.

Joan Baldoví, spokesperson for the Compromís party, delivered a scathing rebuke of Mazón during the demonstration: "After five months and after six protests, people have dictated sentences, Mazon needs to resign." Baldoví accused the regional president of tarnishing the reputation of the Generalitat (Valencia regional government) through his absence during critical hours of the disaster and subsequent avoidance of affected areas without staged support.

Public outrage intensified following revelations that Mazón attended a lunch meeting during crucial moments as the disaster unfolded, further damaging his credibility. Despite mounting pressure, Mazón has acknowledged "mistakes" and offered apologies but refused to step down, insisting he remains committed to recovery efforts.

The controversy has exposed significant gaps in Spain's emergency response systems and raised questions about government preparedness for extreme weather events. Protestors specifically criticized the delayed emergency alerts that many believe could have saved lives if issued earlier.

As Valencia continues its recovery process, the political fallout shows no signs of abating.