Carlos Mazón steps down as Valencia’s regional President after public outrage over his response to Spain’s worst natural disaster in decades.
Carlos Mazón, President of Spain’s Valencia region, has resigned amid mounting criticism over his handling of catastrophic floods that killed 229 people last year. The disaster, which struck on Wednesday October 29 2024, was Spain’s deadliest natural event in decades, with eight additional deaths reported in neighboring regions.
Public anger has focused on Mazón’s actions on the day of the floods. As heavy rain swept through towns, causing sudden inundations, Mazón spent nearly four hours at a restaurant with journalist Maribel Vilaplana. During this time, regional authorities failed to issue emergency phone alerts until after 20:00, by which point dozens had already perished.
“I can’t go on anymore,” Mazón said in his resignation speech on Monday November 3, 2025. “I know that I made mistakes, I acknowledge it and I will live with them for the rest of my life.” He added that he regretted not cancelling his schedule to take charge as the crisis unfolded, but insisted his errors were not politically motivated.
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The backlash against Mazón had grown steadily in the months since the tragedy. Polls showed overwhelming public demand for his resignation, and monthly protests were held, drawing up to 50,000 people as recently as late October. His attendance at a memorial service marking the first anniversary of the floods last week sparked further outrage, with some bereaved families heckling him during the ceremony.
Mazón announced his resignation on the same day that journalist Maribel Vilaplana testified before a judge investigating potential negligence. According to local media, Vilaplana told the court that Mazón appeared distracted during their lunch, frequently checking his phone and receiving multiple calls.
Despite stepping down as regional president, Mazón will remain a member of the Valencia parliament, which grants him immunity from prosecution. He used his farewell address to accuse Spain’s central government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, of withholding aid for political reasons—an allegation officials in Madrid have denied.
Mazón’s departure poses challenges for his conservative People’s Party (PP), which has relied on support from the far-right Vox party to govern in Valencia. Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo said he backed Mazón’s decision and defended him as someone who “made mistakes” but was “not a murderer.”
The PP must now navigate both public discontent and coalition politics to find a new leader capable of restoring confidence after a turbulent year.