2024-11-06 03:30:00
Anger ‘outbursts’ against king and Spanish government president in flood-ravaged region shows popular fury Analysts say they are fighting against a polarized and “unstable” political class in de-escalating the situation after the tragedy.
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In an unprecedented image of Spain, King Felipe VI and Letizia, Head of Government Pedro Sánchez and Valencia regional president Carlos Masson, On Sunday, they were greeted in the town of Piporta by cries of “murderer” and a shower of mud and debris.
Amidst the tension, Sanchez was evacuated after being hit, and Masson also exited shortly afterwards, but the Kings, their clothes and faces covered in mud, talked to some people under the protection of shaking bodyguards.
“There are dead people here, we need machinery!” a young woman complained to the Queen.
The Kings withdrew and canceled a visit to another town devastated by flooding last Tuesday, leaving a provisional death toll of 217.
they shouldn’t go
He estimated that since there is no confirmed number of victims and the town is still full of mud and vehicles are piled up by the current, “people are understandably angry and I don’t think the authorities should be there at this time.” Scientist Pablo Simon issued a statement to AFP.
“People are angry because (…) the state is perceived to be incapable of solving their problems. There is huge confusion over the erratic management of this crisis, both in anticipation and in the aftermath,” Simon said.
Paloma Román, a political scientist at the Complutense University of Madrid, agrees. “The lack of coordination between the central government and the autonomous regions results in people not being able to reach everywhere when they need it,” This “increases discomfort”.
The problem is that, in the highly polarized context of Spanish politics, Valencia’s local government is led by the main opposition conservative People’s Party (PP) and socialist Pedro Sánchez’s Mazón.
In this very fragmented country, These regions have a large degree of autonomy so that, for example, the army can take action, as is currently the case with the relief efforts in Valencia, Local governments must make demands.
“The blame game”
In the absence of official personnel, an army of volunteers worked with residents themselves to clean and deliver water and food in affected areas.
Simon believes that “there is a blame game between different authorities about who should take action, exacerbating the population explosion.”
As a sample, A row broke out between the governments of Valencia and Madrid over last Tuesday’s delay in issuing a warning to the population, which came at a time when some areas were already suffering the worst effects. From the storm.
The phone warning message from Valencian authorities came after 8 p.m., even though the National Meteorological Service had issued a red alert 12 hours earlier. Masson on Monday blamed the delay on another national entity, the Hydrographic Union. , the agency has ceased operations.
Get out of “disputes”
In any case, Paiporta’s wrath seems to have been directed primarily at the politicians rather than the king, who was still able to talk to some people despite being in a highly nervous state.
“The king calms down Paiporta and Sanchez disappears,” read the headline on Monday in the monarchist newspaper ABC, which featured a photo of the king embracing a young man on the cover. Le Monde reported that the monarchs “exploded with anger” against Sanchez and Masson.
“Kings had no administrative power,” Simon explains, “they essentially had a symbolic and representative profession” so that they could “raise themselves above the political fray.”
how he did it Pedro Sanchez on Monday blamed “individuals” and “very marginalized groups” for a brawl in the city of Valencia, hours after the incident.
The minister revealed in a statement to state television that the Civil Guard “began investigating” the incidents and “those involved” “from the first minute”, with some Spanish media blaming far-right groups.
But that doesn’t hide the fact that people in Valencia are indeed “angry,” Simon warned.
*AFP Journal
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### Interview with Political Analyst Dr. Ana Martinez on the Recent Floods in Spain
**Host:** Welcome to today’s program. We’re discussing the recent devastating floods in eastern Spain and the growing public frustration toward the government. Joining us is political analyst Dr. Ana Martinez. Thank you for being here, Dr. Martinez.
**Dr. Martinez:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** The recent flooding has left over 200 people dead, and survivors are expressing outrage at the government response. What are the primary concerns that the people have right now?
**Dr. Martinez:** The main concerns revolve around the perceived inadequacy of the government’s response. Many survivors feel abandoned, as evidenced by the protests directed at officials like King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. They are demanding more immediate action and resources, particularly heavy machinery, to aid in the recovery efforts.
**Host:** It’s clear there’s a lot of frustration. How does the political landscape in Spain complicate the response to this disaster?
**Dr. Martinez:** Spain’s political landscape is quite polarized at the moment. The regional government in Valencia, led by the opposition People’s Party, and the central government, headed by Sánchez from the Socialist Party, are at odds. This has resulted in a lack of coordination during the crisis, making it difficult for residents to receive the support they need swiftly. The blame game between these authorities is only exacerbating public anger.
**Host:** You mentioned a “blame game.” Can you elaborate on that?
**Dr. Martinez:** Certainly. Officials from both levels of government are pointing fingers at each other regarding delays and the management of the crisis. For instance, there was significant criticism about the delay in issuing flood warnings, which led to devastating consequences in certain areas. This disarray is creating confusion and further frustration among those affected.
**Host:** Beyond the government response, what role are community efforts playing in the recovery?
**Dr. Martinez:** Communities are stepping up remarkably. An army of volunteers has mobilized to provide immediate aid—delivering food, water, and cleaning up debris. This grassroots effort highlights the resilience of the Spanish people and demonstrates a strong community spirit in times of crisis. However, the challenges they face are monumental, and without additional resources from officials, recovery will be slow.
**Host:** As we look ahead, what can be done to improve the situation?
**Dr. Martinez:** First and foremost, we need clearer communication and better coordination between the national and regional governments. Establishing a unified command for disaster response could streamline aid efforts. Furthermore, transparency regarding the recovery process and a commitment to adequate resource allocation are vital to restoring public trust in the authorities.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Martinez, for your insights on this challenging situation.
**Dr. Martinez:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we continue monitoring the developments and advocate for solutions that truly serve the people affected by these floods.
**Host:** Absolutely. We will keep following this story closely. Thank you to our viewers for tuning in.
