Valencia's regional leader, Carlos Mazon, on Monday announced his resignation after intense criticism of his administration's response to the catastrophic floods that struck a year ago.

The torrential rains of October 29, 2024, left 229 people dead and caused billions of euros in damage, particularly in the southern suburbs of Valencia, Spain's third-largest city.

Why did Valencia's regional president resign?

"The reality is that today I am the focus of criticism, noise, hatred, and tension," Carlos Mazon said in a televised address. "I can't go on anymore," he added.

Mazon, a member of Spain’s conservative People’s Party (PP), has faced daily calls to step down from opposition parties and relatives of the victims, who accused his administration of failing to issue timely evacuation warnings and to coordinate rescue efforts effectively.

At a state memorial last week, victims' relatives shouted "murderer," "coward," and "get out" as Mazon arrived.

His administration, which primarily oversees emergency response under Spain's decentralized system, sent phone alerts to residents only after flooding had already begun in some areas — more than 12 hours after the national weather agency issued its highest rain alert.

Despite early signs of danger, Mazon continued with a scheduled lunch with a journalist on the day of the disaster. On Monday, he acknowledged, "I should have cancelled my appointments."

Mazon has defended his actions, arguing the flooding's scale was unforeseeable and that national authorities failed to provide timely warnings about the storm's severity.

However, he has been under mounting pressure to resign.

Monthly protests urging resignation

Mazon's conservative Popular Party (PP) sits in opposition to the Socialist-led national government. The regional leader has argued his administration lacked the information needed to issue timely warnings before the disaster.

Campaigners have held regular protests, often timed around the monthly anniversaries of the floods. On October 25, more than 50,000 people marched through Valencia, many carrying photos of relatives who died, demanding Mazon's resignation.

Residents told Spanish media that mobile alerts came too late, when floodwaters were already submerging streets, cars, and homes.

A poll published last month by Spain's El Pais newspaper found that 71% of Valencia residents believe Mazon should step down.

The floods affected 78 municipalities, mainly south of Valencia city, sweeping away about 130,000 vehicles, damaging thousands of homes, and leaving 800,000 tonnes of debris.

Edited by: Rana Taha