President of Valencia quits amid fury over his handling of deadly floods

Carlos Mazón, the embattled president of the eastern Spanish region of Valencia, bowed to public fury and political pressure yesterday by resigning over his handling of the deadly floods that killed 229 people just over a year ago.

- Sam Jones

Mazón, a member of the conservative People’s party (PP), had hung on despite calls for him to stand down after it emerged he had spent more than three hours having lunch with a journalist as the floods hit and people were drowning in their homes, garages and cars.

His refusal to quit had prompted a series of demonstrations across valencia, many under the slogan “Mud on our hands, blood on his”. A recent survey found 75% of Valencians believed Mazón should quit. Yesterday Mazón yielded to the pressure and announced he would abandon the regional presidency.