The events of October 29th, when an unprecedented cold drop devastated the province of Valencia, buried all relevant matters and decision-making processes in parties and governments. The timeline of events points to the alleged responsibilities, particularly with the President of the Generalitat Valenciana, Carlos Mazón. Thirteen days after the catastrophe, the national government is aware that the pain, indignation, hopelessness, and distrust of millions of Spaniards are directed towards the central and regional governments, and politicians in general. The question of “where is the State, that volunteers have to come instead to save their fellow citizens?” is a reality that the government is trying to erase.
The government acknowledges that Spain does not have a failed state but instead has the power to overcome the enormous devastation caused by the cold drop. They do not expect applause, especially the regional government, as the basic needs of citizens without water, food, and shelter were initially met by a multitude of citizens from within and outside the Valencian Community. However, it is recognized that without the UME, the Army as a whole, the Security Forces, and the heavy machinery of the State, as well as the efforts of Transport and Mobility Ministry operators and resources mobilized from various communities, the situation would not have progressed from initial chaos to incipient reconstruction.
The government’s concern lies in the feeling of alienation where politicians have abandoned the citizens. The massive task at hand for administrations, with the central government taking a leading role in activating extraordinary resources within Spain and the European Union, keeps President Pedro Sánchez and his entire cabinet avoiding political disputes. They emphasize the need for all levels of government to work together seamlessly to address the tragedy. The government plans to approve a second royal decree with various forms of aid for those affected this Monday, building on the one passed the previous Tuesday.
As the government continues its response and recovery efforts, the opposition parties, particularly the PP, rekindle their previous agenda of opposition while blaming the central government for not doing enough in the aftermath of the disaster. The opposition has refrained from criticizing the handling of the crisis by the regional government. The president of the government is set to travel to Azerbaijan on Tuesday to participate in the United Nations climate summit. Despite attending this conference, commitments to other international events have been waived to focus on the situation in Valencia.
The government is also preparing for the actions of far-right groups, such as Núcleo Nacional, who have been protesting in front of the PSOE headquarters in Madrid for the past year. These actions have led to disturbances that the police have had to manage. Additionally, there is a concern about the spread of misinformation by individuals linked to the far-right, causing chaos and confusion within society. King Felipe VI has warned against those promoting disinformation to incite chaos.
