Valencia President Resigns Amid Public Outcry Over Flood Mismanagement

Fri Dec 05 2025 05:27:26 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Carlos Mazón, the president of the Valencia region, steps down following intense criticism for his handling of a devastating flood disaster that resulted in 229 fatalities last October.

Carlos Mazón has resigned from his position as president of Valencia after facing public and political backlash over his reaction to the worst natural disaster in decades. His absence during critical moments of the flood response and the delay in issuing emergency warnings fueled public outrage, culminating in large protests and his acknowledgment of mistakes. This resignation highlights the political tensions surrounding disaster management and accountability in Spain.

The president of Spain's Valencia region, Carlos Mazón, has resigned after months of pressure regarding his handling of devastating flash floods that struck on October 29, 2024, claiming the lives of 229 people. This disaster is considered one of the worst in recent times for the area.

The resignation follows accusations from the public that Mazón's inaction contributed to the disaster's severity. Reports surfaced indicating that he spent several crucial hours dining with journalist Maribel Vilaplana, neglecting emergency duties during the critical flood response. His administration faced significant criticism for failing to alert residents until late in the day, by which point many had already lost their lives.

“I can't go on anymore... I know that I made mistakes,” Mazón stated during his resignation announcement. He admitted to not prioritizing response actions, insisting that his errors were not due to negligence or bad faith.

Polls indicated overwhelming public sentiment for Mazón to resign, prompting mass protests demanding accountability. The public outcry peaked recently with approximately 50,000 marchers in Valencia expressing their frustration over his governance.

The situation exacerbated tensions when Mazón attended a memorial service for the flood victims, where he faced backlash from grieving family members.

The ensuing resignation came on a day of significant scrutiny, as Vilaplana appeared in court to discuss potential negligence linked to Mazón's actions on the day of the floods.

Mazón expressed discontent towards the central government's role, alleging interference in financial aid, indicating a politically charged atmosphere concerning disaster preparedness and response.

Despite his resignation, Mazón will retain his seat in the regional parliament, affording him some legal protections. His leadership had increasingly become a liability for the conservative People's Party (PP), with concerns that his management style could affect the party's broader electoral strategies.

In response to Mazón's resignation, PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo affirmed that while Mazón made mistakes, he is not solely to blame for a national emergency, highlighting the collective responsibility in crisis management.