Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended the government’s response to the floods caused by storm DANA, countering criticism from the PPrime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended the government’s response to the floods caused by storm DANA, countering criticism from the Popular Party (PP) and affirming his openness to a parliamentary inquiry.
During a speech in Congress, Sánchez announced a third aid package to assist those affected by the disaster, particularly in the Valencian Community, where the storm claimed over 220 lives on October 29. The new package follows two previous ones approved on November 5 and 11, bringing the total state aid to over €16.6 billion.
“The government will approve a third aid package with 60 measures aimed at accelerating the recovery of the affected areas,” Sánchez stated. This latest package, valued at €2.274 billion, includes tax relief, social security exemptions, and other measures to support victims.
Sánchez emphasized that the government had met its responsibilities, highlighting the warnings issued by meteorological authorities such as Aemet and the Júcar River Basin Authority. “The system has not failed,” he said, rebutting claims from opposition leaders. “This is the same system that has effectively responded to previous catastrophes.” He directed criticism at the regional government of Valencia, led by Carlos Mazón of the PP, for not adequately fulfilling its responsibilities.
Sánchez expressed willingness to establish a parliamentary commission of inquiry and pledged a detailed report on the disaster. However, PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo accused Sánchez of inaction and failure to declare a national state of emergency. He criticized the government’s delayed response, claiming that it “did not react until 11 at night.”
Vox leader Santiago Abascal echoed similar sentiments, accusing the government of neglecting the affected region. “People were left alone, flooded, without electricity, without water, waking up in fear, waiting for help that never arrived,” he said.
Conversely, Verónica Martínez Barbero, spokesperson for the Plurinational Group of Sumar, criticized both Vox and the PP for spreading misinformation about the government’s management of the crisis on social media.opular Party (PP) and affirming his openness to a parliamentary inquiry. During a speech in Congress, Sánchez announced a third aid package to assist those affected by the disaster, particularly in the Valencian Community, where the storm claimed over 220 lives on October 29. The new package follows two previous ones approved on November 5 and 11, bringing the total state aid to over €16.6 billion. “The government will approve a third aid package with 60 measures aimed at accelerating the recovery of the affected areas,” Sánchez stated.
This latest package, valued at €2.274 billion, includes tax relief, social security exemptions, and other measures to support victims.Sánchez emphasized that the government had met its responsibilities, highlighting the warnings issued by meteorological authorities such as Aemet and the Júcar River Basin Authority. “The system has not failed,” he said, rebutting claims from opposition leaders. “This is the same system that has effectively responded to previous catastrophes.” He directed criticism at the regional government of Valencia, led by Carlos Mazón of the PP, for not adequately fulfilling its responsibilities.Sánchez expressed willingness to establish a parliamentary commission of inquiry and pledged a detailed report on the disaster. However, PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo accused Sánchez of inaction and failure to declare a national state of emergency. He criticized the government’s delayed response, claiming that it “did not react until 11 at night.”
Vox leader Santiago Abascal echoed similar sentiments, accusing the government of neglecting the affected region. “People were left alone, flooded, without electricity, without water, waking up in fear, waiting for help that never arrived,” he said.Conversely, Verónica Martínez Barbero, spokesperson for the Plurinational Group of Sumar, criticized both Vox and the PP for spreading misinformation about the government’s management of the crisis on social media.
