Valencia President Carlos Mazón Resigns Amidst Fallout from 2024 Flood Tragedy

Carlos Mazón, the regional president of Valencia, stepped down on November 3, 2025, following a year of escalating protests and criticism over his management of devastating floods that struck the region on October 29, 2024. The floods, described as tsunami-like, resulted in the deaths of over 229 people and caused approximately €17 billion in damage, according to the Valencian Institute of Economic Research. Mazón, leader of the conservative Popular Party (PP), faced public outrage, especially after a state funeral where grieving families confronted him, labeling him a 'murderer.'

In his resignation announcement, Mazón admitted to mistakes, saying, "I know I made mistakes, I recognize them, and I will live with them for the rest of my life," but he also attributed some responsibility to the national Spanish government led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, accusing it of political strategizing and inadequate support for the region during the crisis. He claimed the government had left Valencia "alone for political strategy" and accused it of launching a campaign against him to deflect blame. However, the Spanish Meteorological Agency (Aemet) had issued multiple alerts ahead of the disaster, and the Ministry of Ecological Transition defended its response, highlighting over €1.2 billion invested in reconstruction efforts.

Mazón's government was criticized for a delayed public warning about the flood, issuing alerts only hours after it began while Mazón was seen engaging in a lengthy lunch with a journalist. Despite the sustained public pressure and numerous protests—some attracting tens of thousands—Mazón had not resigned until now. He stated the past year had been filled with "unbearable moments" for himself and his family. He has not specified whether he will call early elections or resign his seat in the regional assembly but will remain in office until a successor is appointed.

The flood disaster has been linked to climate change's rising impact on extreme weather events, intensifying the scrutiny of regional disaster preparedness. Ongoing investigations are assessing disaster management failures. The resignation marks a significant political turning point in Valencia’s governance and a response to widespread demands for accountability in Spain.

This pivotal development highlights the challenges of regional political leadership amid climate-induced disasters and the tensions between regional and national authorities in Spain's response mechanism.