Good morning! here’s your news roundup for Thursday, 8 May.
This weekend marks the Festa de la Mare de Déu dels Desemparats, Valencia’s annual celebration in honor of its patron saint. Expect processions, a mascletà, and other festivities centered around Plaza de la Virgen in the old city.
Nationwide Blackout
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez addressed parliament regarding the recent blackout across the Iberian Peninsula but offered no clear explanation. Instead, he used the opportunity to defend Spain’s renewable energy policies and challenge nuclear energy companies to fund expansions without public subsidies.
El País – Sánchez defends renewable energy
Politics in Valencia
The far-right Vox party has proposed drastic budget cuts: a 50% reduction in Valencian language funding and over €600,000 in cuts to unions and employers’ associations. Instead, they want €5 million allocated to deport unaccompanied minors who are undocumented migrants. The governing Partido Popular (PP) has yet to confirm its position on these proposals.
Valencia Plaza – PP won’t specify whether it supports Vox amendments
Flood Recovery
Tensions continue over flood recovery spending. The national government claims it has spent €5 billion in aid—eleven times more than the regional Generalitat.
El País – Government claims to pay €5 billion in flood aid
Meanwhile, PP and Vox have approved the creation of a parliamentary inquiry into the October flood disaster—but no testimony dates have been set, and victims’ associations are excluded. Vox has questioned whether these groups were “truly affected.”
El País – Vox justifies the absence of victims’ associations
Valencia Plaza – PP and Vox confirm DANA inquiry, no timeline set
Transport Changes
Due to ongoing renovations at Joaquín Sorolla station, Renfe has rerouted long-distance Euromed and Intercity trains to stop at Estación del Norte for at least the next year.
Las Provincias – Renfe reroutes trains to Estación del Norte
Meanwhile, Adif is moving forward with the Mediterranean Corridor rail project, which aims to connect coastal cities with France via high-speed rail by 2027.
Valencia Plaza – Mediterranean Corridor advances in Castellón
Housing Shortage
Investment funds are purchasing subsidized housing below market value while the local government fails to exercise its right of first refusal.
El País – 25 groups oppose sale of 134 public flats to a fund
Levante – Investment fund pays €67,000 per flat, far below market
Changing City
Valencia will host a new division of the United Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies, which will focus on global AI governance.
El Español – UN to open AI office in Valencia
Bioparc has announced a €64 million expansion centered on the Silk Road and new exhibits from Asia and Africa. However, Mislata’s mayor is opposing the plan, citing concerns over odors, waste, and traffic.
Valencia Plaza – €64M Bioparc expansion revealed
Levante – Mislata opposes Bioparc expansion
In La Marina, several restaurants remain open despite the expiration of their concessions and a City Hall order to close. Authorities argue these venues contribute to “low-quality tourism.”
Valencia Plaza – Marina restaurants defy City Hall
Crime and Corruption
La Roqueta, near Estación del Norte, reports a rise in street violence, including a recent incident where a woman was injured in a brawl.
Las Provincias – Woman injured in La Roqueta fight
In Nazaret, the fatal shooting of a young man—reportedly the grandson of a prominent local family—has shocked the community.
Las Provincias – Mourning for Nazaret’s “king of the gypsies” family
Climate and Environment
Six beaches in Valencia have received Blue Flag status this year, while five others have lost the designation due to falling short of environmental and safety standards.
Las Provincias – Six new Blue Flag beaches
Las Provincias – Five beaches lose Blue Flag status