In a move that has sent shockwaves through Valencia and the Partido Popular, Carlos Mazón announced on Monday morning that he is resigning as president of the Valencian Generalitat. The decision, sudden yet long-anticipated, follows a weekend of intense negotiations with the national PP leadership, including party president Alberto Núñez Feijóo.
Mazón, citing a loss of “strength” to continue in office, appealed to the parliamentary majority in the Valencian Parliament (Les Corts) to choose a new leader capable of steering the region through ongoing recovery efforts and political uncertainty. “The time has come for someone else to drive the recovery effort,” he said, urging a “responsible” election of his successor.
Despite the announcement, several key questions remain unanswered, including whether Mazón will relinquish his parliamentary seat, which will remove his immunity from prosecution, and who will succeed him as head of the Valencian government.
During his statement, Mazón revealed that he had spoken with King Felipe VI, thanking him for his support, and highlighted ongoing reconstruction efforts in areas devastated by last year’s DANA storm.
Storms, Criticism, and Controversy
The announcement comes amid lingering fallout from last year’s DANA storm, which devastated the province of Valencia. Mazón took pride in the region’s reconstruction work but did not shy away from criticism of the national government. He accused Pedro Sánchez’s administration of abandoning Valencia for “political reasons,” forcing the regional government to act alone in rebuilding homes, roads, and communities.
Yet Mazón’s tenure was not without controversy. The president admitted that he had erred in attending a lunch at El Ventorro during the peak of the disaster. “Had I known the magnitude of the tragedy, I would have cancelled it immediately,” he said. The incident sparked a wave of criticism from opposition parties, which Mazón dismissed as “self-serving,” while acknowledging the victims’ right to express their frustration.
Succession Battle Heats Up
With Mazón stepping aside, Valencia’s political landscape is entering uncharted waters. Juanfran Pérez Llorca, secretary general of the PPCV and Mazón’s close confidant, emerges as the frontrunner to take the reins. Seen as a candidate of continuity and stability, his rise could help the party maintain cohesion and reassure voters.
Other potential successors include Valencia mayor María José Catalá, though fears of losing the capital city make her bid uncertain, and Vicent Mompó, president of the Valencia Provincial Council, whose lack of a parliamentary seat complicates a straightforward transition.
Vox now holds the power to determine the next step. By supporting a candidate, the far-right party could enable a smooth succession. Otherwise, the parliamentary process could falter, forcing early regional elections, likely scheduled for May 2026.
Valencia at a Crossroads
Mazón’s resignation marks a turning point for the Valencian Community. The next president faces the dual challenge of completing post-storm recovery while navigating a politically fragmented landscape. With public scrutiny high and political stakes higher, the region enters a period of uncertainty that could reshape its political future.
For now, Mazón remains in an acting role, but the clock is ticking. Five months is the legal limit before either a new president is confirmed or voters are called back to the polls—a deadline that adds urgency to the unfolding drama.
Valencia, once known for its calm coastal charm, now finds itself at the center of a political storm, with the next chapter in its leadership poised to redefine the region’s trajectory.
