In the midst of criticism from the opposition and many citizens for the “absence of the State” during the first days of the dana crisis in Valencia, the Government is increasing its efforts to mitigate the effects of the disaster. The Cabinet approved a first package of measures totaling 10.600 million euros, almost one percentage point of the Spanish GDP. However, this was just the first step, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez hinting at additional measures to come. The Government is preparing another significant package to be approved on Monday in a Special Cabinet meeting, which will once again focus on addressing the ongoing dana crisis.
Sánchez has prioritized all matters related to the emergency situation, canceling his plans to attend the Ibero-American Summit in Ecuador in order to focus on addressing the crisis at hand. He will instead be represented by King Felipe VI and Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares. Sánchez has been actively involved in leading the Crisis Committee meetings on a daily basis, aiming to dispel the perception that the State is absent during this time of need. The government has also implemented a new communication strategy, with technical experts providing regular updates on the efforts being made to assist those affected by the disaster.
The upcoming package of measures is still being negotiated within the Government, but it is expected to focus on both short-term and long-term solutions. The plan is to provide immediate assistance to those impacted by the dana, as well as to focus on reconstruction, revitalization, and transformation in the affected regions. This includes bolstering social services, supporting workers in the area, and reassessing flood-prone areas in the face of future climate change challenges.
The Government is considering a range of medium and long-term measures to address the impacts of the disaster, with various ministries proposing solutions that will need approval from the Treasury. Minister of Presidency, Félix Bolaños, is overseeing the coordination of these measures, determining which proposals will be presented at the upcoming Cabinet meeting and which will be considered in the future. The Government recognizes the need for fundamental changes to prepare for the inevitable effects of climate change in the coming years.
The Government’s objective is not only to counter the perception of State absence during times of crisis, but also to challenge climate change denial, particularly from parties like Vox. Despite criticism, the Government’s focus remains on implementing effective measures to address the immediate and long-term impact of the dana disaster. The Government’s aim, through these measures, is to also pressure for the swift approval of the General Budget to ensure that the necessary funds are allocated to mitigate the effects of the dana crisis.
The measures being proposed are not tied to the Budget and will be implemented through decrees, which are likely to receive support from the opposition party, PP. However, the Government intends to leverage this political moment to drive negotiations for the prompt approval of the Budget. The significant financial strain resulting from the need to address the aftermath of the dana crisis further underscores the urgency for a Budget agreement. While the PP’s support for the General Budget is uncertain, there is optimism that the socialists’ offer to support the Budget of the Valencian Government will pave the way for negotiations at the national level.
