The Valencian government and President Carlos Mazón have been swift to defend themselves following a large-scale protest on Saturday that saw thousands take to the streets of Valencia, demanding the president’s resignation over his handling of the recent DANA storm crisis, which has led to 220 deaths and unknown damage in the province.
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Vice President Susana Camarero dismissed any notion of resignations within Mazón’s administration. Furthermore, she insisted their focus remains solely on the ongoing relief effort. “Resignation is not an option amidst the biggest crisis in our history. Our only priority is to help people tirelessly,” she stated.
Camarero also acknowledged the temporary communications failure at the Emergency Coordination Centre in L’Eliana, Valencia. Herewith, addressing accusations involving the president and Spain’s Minister for Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera. The vice president accused Ribera of manipulating the facts, contradicting her claim that it took four calls to reach Mazón during the height of the crisis. “Minister Ribera misled the public regarding her attempts to contact President Mazón,” Camarero countered.
National PP backs Mazón and blames central government
Shortly after Camarero’s address, the national leadership of the Partido Popular (PP), represented by Juan Bravo, rallied behind Mazón. Bravo praised Mazón’s crisis response while condemning Pedro Sánchez’s government for failing to take command. “The PP stands firmly with President Mazón, who has faced this catastrophe head-on, unlike the central government, which abandoned its responsibility to lead during Spain’s greatest crisis,” Bravo stated.
It is worth noting that PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo had previously called for a state of emergency. However, Mazón dismissed this. Instead, he was opting to form working groups involving both regional officials and some national ministers under Valencian leadership.
Mazón condemns “fake news” amidst criticism
On Sunday, at the Emergency Coordination Centre Mazón refused to comment on the protest, which saw an estimated 130,000 people, according to the Government Delegation, demanding his resignation. Mazón emphasised his commitment to explaining his actions before the Valencian Parliament on Thursday, vowing to provide full transparency.
The regional President also condemned what he described as “fake news” regarding his administration’s handling of the crisis. “Every moment of mine and the Generalitat’s time has been dedicated to working for the people, not engaging with provocative claims and protests,” Mazón asserted, dismissing the accusations as politically motivated distractions from the task at hand.