On Monday, Carlos Mazón, the leader of Spain's Valencia region, announced his resignation following intense criticism of his administration's response to the catastrophic flash floods that occurred on October 29, 2024, resulting in the deaths of 229 individuals. His handling of the disaster is largely perceived as inadequate, leading to persistent calls for his resignation from both the public and political opponents.
The floods, which devastated the region, prompted outrage as Mazón faced jeers and insults from victims' families during a memorial ceremony marking the first anniversary of the tragedy. He stated, "I know I made mistakes. I acknowledge them, and I will live with them for the rest of my life," expressing remorse while maintaining that his errors were not politically motivated.
Critics have condemned Mazón for his government's slow emergency response, particularly for sending out a flood alert to residents' cell phones only hours after the waters had breached banks, leading to widespread destruction, including the loss of cars and homes. His decision to enjoy a lengthy lunch with a journalist on the very day of the natural disaster, while emergency officials struggled to manage the crisis, further fueled public ire.
The catastrophic event is considered one of Europe’s deadliest natural disasters in recent history, causing billions of euros in damages, particularly affecting the suburbs of Valencia, Spain's third-largest city. Over the course of the past year, there have been multiple large-scale protests in Valencia demanding Mazón's resignation, including a significant demonstration that attracted tens of thousands of participants just days before the one-year memorial.
Despite the pressure, Mazón remained in power even as public discontent grew, with the situation negatively impacting the prospects of his center-right Popular Party. He often deflected blame toward Spain's left-wing national government, accusing them of insufficient support while regional authorities are primarily tasked with disaster management under Spain's decentralized governance system. The regional government is responsible for civil protection, yet it can request additional resources from the national government, which is led by the Socialists in Madrid.
During his resignation announcement, Mazón did not clarify whether he intended to call for a snap election or resign from his position in the regional assembly. He refrained from naming an interim replacement, instead emphasizing that his resignation should prompt the national government to expedite recovery efforts in Valencia. Additionally, he described the past year as filled with "unbearable moments" for himself and his family.
