“Murderers, murderers! »: Tens of thousands of people demonstrated their anger against the political class for its management in Valencia on Saturday floods which caused the deaths of at least 220 people in south-eastern Spain last week.
According to the government delegation in Valencia, the demonstration brought together “130,000 people”.
The protesters gathered at the end of the day in the large square in front of the Valencia town hall to walk the kilometer that separates it from the seat of the regional government.
They called in particular for the “resignation” of its president Carlos Mazón (Popular Party, right), but even the socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was not spared from criticism.
The two men are accused by the victims of having underestimated the risks and of having poorly coordinated aid after the floods of October 29, which devastated almost 80 municipalities.
For Julián García, 73 years old, “Mazón’s management was indecent and he should resign. The Valencian government is responsible and did not want to ask what it could have asked of the central government, which is also somewhat responsible”, believes the pensioner.
Ana de la Rosa, 30, regrets “political wars when it wasn’t the time, because citizens needed help and they didn’t have it.” The archivist calls for “justice” for what he calls “manslaughter”.
Demonstrations also took place in several other Spanish cities, such as Madrid and Alicante.
Some clashes broke out between protesters and police in Valencia, an AFP journalist noted.
“Solo el pueblo salva el pueblo” (“Only the people save the people”): in Valencia this slogan became popular in conversations after the spontaneous wave of solidarity organized to compensate for the authorities’ alleged mistakes.
In Valencia the protests focused on Carlos Mazón, targeted on Sunday in Paiporta, together with the head of government and the sovereigns Felipe VI and Letizia, with insults and throwing of mud: unpublished images that illustrate the exasperation of the devastated areas.
The warning system in question
Carlos Mazón, a 50-year-old lawyer and member of the Popular Party, is accused of reacting slowly despite the red alert launched by the Spanish Meteorological Agency (Aemet) on the morning of October 29th.
He is also accused of having been absent for several hours when it was already starting to rain and the emergency committee was meeting. Carlos Mazón defended himself by assuring that he was participating in “a business lunch” in a restaurant in Valencia with a journalist, according to Spanish media.
Among the accusations made by the victims, there is also the fact that the entire population was alerted via cell phones only in the evening, when many areas were already submerged. The region’s top emergency manager, Salomé Pradas, admitted on Thursday that she was unaware of the existence of this warning system, before retracting her statement.
In Spain, a very decentralized country, disaster management is the responsibility of regional administrations, but the central government, responsible for issuing alerts via Aemet, can provide resources and even intervene in extreme cases.
It is precisely this last point that motivates criticism from the right-wing opposition, which accuses the head of the socialist government of having let the region sink with political calculations instead of regaining control. Pedro Sánchez acted “in bad faith”, criticized Miguel Tellado, spokesman for the Popular Party in parliament.
Sources close to the government assure for their part that they want to define in due time the possible responsibilities of each and any shortcomings in the management of the disaster, while stating that the government has done everything possible within the current institutional framework.
On Saturday, the authorities continued their search operations for the missing, concentrated in Albufeira and the Valencia lagoon. Dozens of people are still wanted, according to the Supreme Court of Justice of the Valencian Region.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Flood Management Expert
Time.news Editor: Good morning, Dr. Elena Ruiz. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent protests in Valencia following the devastating floods. The demonstrations, as reported, saw tens of thousands expressing their anger towards the political leadership. What are your thoughts on the underlying issues that triggered such a backlash?
Dr. Elena Ruiz: Good morning! Thank you for having me. The outrage we are witnessing stems from a profound sense of betrayal among the affected citizens. When communities face disasters such as the floods in Valencia, they expect prompt and effective responses from their leaders. However, the perceived inadequacy of the government’s response, particularly the slow action and lack of coordination between regional and national authorities, has fueled anger and distrust.
Time.news Editor: Indeed, the protesters were calling for the resignation of Carlos Mazón, and even Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faced criticism. Many citizens believe their lives could have been saved had the government acted more swiftly. How critical is timely governmental action in disaster response?
Dr. Elena Ruiz: Timely governmental action is absolutely critical during disasters. In situations like this, early warning systems and immediate coordination can save lives. The red alert issued by the Spanish Meteorological Agency should have prompted an urgent response from local officials. The fact that Mazón was reportedly absent while vital decisions were being made highlights significant management failures that directly impacted the disaster’s outcome.
Time.news Editor: We heard voices like Julián García and Ana de la Rosa calling for justice and labeling the situation as “manslaughter.” What does that say about public sentiment regarding accountability in disaster management?
Dr. Elena Ruiz: It reflects a growing demand for accountability and transparency from public officials. Citizens feel that they should not only receive support in crises but that they should also be held to high standards when it comes to their responsibilities. When leaders are perceived to have neglected their duties during emergencies, it fosters a sense of injustice among the population, leading to the potent calls for accountability that we are seeing now.
Time.news Editor: With protests extending to other cities and tensions flaring with police, how do you foresee this impacting future disaster response training and policies in Spain?
Dr. Elena Ruiz: The current situation may instigate a much-needed reevaluation of disaster response protocols in Spain. Politicians and governmental bodies may feel pressured to implement better training programs for emergency management and improve community outreach for disaster preparedness. This could lead to stronger inter-agency cooperation and ensure that local governments are better equipped to handle similar crises in the future.
Time.news Editor: Prior to this disaster, we saw a wave of spontaneous solidarity among the residents of Valencia, encapsulated in the slogan “Solo el pueblo salva el pueblo” (“Only the people save the people”). How important is grassroots activism during such times?
Dr. Elena Ruiz: Grassroots activism is essential, especially when formal structures fail. The organic solidarity that emerges in the wake of a disaster often serves as a lifeline for those affected. It not only helps provide immediate relief, but it also fosters community resilience and solidarity, which can be incredibly empowering. Moreover, such movements pressure authorities to take responsibility and amplify the call for systemic change.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Ruiz, for your insights. It’s vital to reflect on these events and the lessons they impart regarding governance and community resilience in the face of natural disasters.
Dr. Elena Ruiz: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we continue these conversations to promote a culture of accountability and preparedness in disaster management.