Thousands Demand Valencia Leader Resign After Floods

Thousands Demand Valencia Leader Resign After Floods \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Tens of thousands marched in Valencia demanding the resignation of regional leader Carlos Mazón due to the government’s delayed and criticized response to catastrophic floods that killed over 200 people. Protesters clashed with police as anger mounted over the failure to issue timely flood alerts. The disaster response, seen as slow and chaotic, has amplified calls for accountability from both regional and national leaders.

Protest in Valencia Over Catastrophic Flood Response: Quick Looks

• Mass Protest: Thousands took to the streets in Valencia to demand Carlos Mazón’s resignation.
• Clashes with Police: Protesters confronted riot police outside city hall, prompting officers to use batons.
• Delayed Alerts: The regional government failed to issue cellphone flood alerts until hours after flooding began.
• Protest Chants: Marchers held signs with messages like “Mazón Resign!” and “You Killed Us!” Some threw mud on the government building.
• Mazón’s Response: The regional president defended the response, citing unforeseeable conditions, but expressed respect for the protest.
• Criticism of National Leaders: Protesters also blamed the central government and monarchy for insufficient early intervention.
• Victims and Aftermath: The death toll reached 220, with many still missing and streets buried under mud 11 days post-flood.
• Community Anger: Residents are frustrated by the initial volunteer-led response and slow arrival of reinforcements.

Deep Look

In Valencia, Spain, tens of thousands of people gathered in protest on Saturday, demanding the resignation of regional president Carlos Mazón after his administration’s response to the catastrophic floods that struck the region last week. The protests, which began at Valencia’s city hall and culminated at the seat of the regional government, turned tense as some demonstrators clashed with riot police who used batons to disperse them.

The floods, which swept through the eastern part of the country on the night of October 29, have claimed over 220 lives, with 212 victims from the Valencia region alone. The scale of destruction has left streets submerged under mud and debris, while rescue operations continue for those still missing. Anger over the government’s handling of the crisis has been palpable, fueled by delays in sending alerts and mobilizing response teams.

Many marchers held homemade signs, some reading “Mazón Resign!” and “You Killed Us!” The protest’s symbolic climax came when demonstrators slung mud at the facade of the regional government building, leaving handprints that mirrored the city’s devastation. Residents expressed outrage at Mazón’s administration for failing to issue flood warnings via citizens’ cellphones until hours after the flooding began, despite a red alert issued by Spain’s weather agency at 7:30 a.m. that morning.

Reports indicate that certain communities were submerged by 6 p.m., but it wasn’t until after 8 p.m. that alerts were sent out. This delay has intensified scrutiny on Mazón, who argued that the magnitude of the event was unforeseen and that his administration did not receive sufficient advance warnings from central authorities. Despite this defense, criticism has mounted, suggesting that regional and national leaders failed to coordinate an effective and timely response.

Mazón, a member of the conservative Popular Party, acknowledged the pain of the affected communities and emphasized ongoing recovery efforts. In an interview with regional broadcaster À Punt, he said, “There will be time to hold officials accountable,” but stressed that the priority now is to “keep cleaning our streets, helping people, and rebuilding.” He noted that he respected the right to protest, even as he came under fire for perceived inadequacies in crisis management.

The slow response has drawn comparisons between the actions of volunteers and official forces. Thousands of volunteers were reportedly the first to reach the most devastated areas, providing aid well before the thousands of police officers and soldiers requested by the regional government were deployed. In Spain, regional governments oversee civil protection and can request additional support from the central government when needed. The coordination, or lack thereof, between these entities has become a central point of criticism.

Further fueling public frustration, Mazón was met with jeers and mud when he visited affected areas alongside Spain’s royals and Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. This confrontation highlighted the widespread dissatisfaction with leadership at all levels. Protester Sara Sánchez Gurillo, who lost her brother-in-law, 62-year-old Candido Molina Pulgarín, voiced her grief and anger at the government’s failure to act swiftly. “They knew that the sky was going to fall and yet they didn’t warn anyone. They didn’t evacuate the people. We want them to resign!” Sánchez said. Her sentiments echoed those of many residents who feel abandoned by the central government and see the symbolic role of the monarchy as ineffective.

Sánchez Gurillo’s calls for accountability extended to the central authorities. “The central government should have taken charge. They should have sent in the army earlier. The king should have made them send it in. Why do we want him as a symbolic figure? He is worthless. The people are alone. They have abandoned us,” she added, reflecting the broader sense of betrayal felt in the community.

Spain’s weather agency issued its highest warning level for the impending storm on Tuesday morning, yet the coordination between regional and national agencies did not translate into swift, preventive measures. The protests have highlighted not just the devastation caused by the flood but a crisis of confidence in governance and emergency response capabilities.

As Valencia and surrounding areas continue recovery efforts, questions about accountability, preparedness, and communication remain at the forefront. The aftermath of the flood serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of delayed action and uncoordinated responses, leaving communities to demand better protection and leadership in times of crisis.

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