Week in News: Back from Summer Break
Bienvenidos de nuevo!
Welcome back to Pont de Valencia. In response to the recent survey, I’m changing the news format this year: summarizing the week’s news in English with links to Spanish sources, while linking to Spanish articles without paywalls for further reading.
As usual, weekend highlights will be on Thursday, and citywide alerts via WhatsApp.
Let me know what you think.
Tenga un buen día!
Political News
Local politics
Valencia’s regional parliament, Les Corts, is back in session after the summer break. But anger still simmers over how President Carlos Mazón managed the deadly floods last October and the slow pace of recovery. Levante EMV reports that some buildings still have broken elevators, leaving elderly residents stranded. Protests demanding Mazón’s resignation continue on the 29th of every month. One repaired building — Catarroja courthouse — is now reopening, with its judge resuming investigations into accountability for the disaster.
More reading:
National politics
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is still clinging to power as Madrid courts dig into a corruption case engulfing his party, El País reports. Flood victims in Valencia, meanwhile, are still waiting for help: four out of five families who applied for aid haven’t received it, according to Las Provincias.
Summer of fire, autumn of storms?
Councillor for Emergencies Juan Carlos Valderrama will open Les Corts’ new session with a warning: after a summer of devastating wildfires, a warming Mediterranean could fuel stronger autumn storms. Is Valencia prepared? Las Provincias reports that ravines in Poyo and Horteta remain damaged, while sewage issues still plague flood-hit areas.
Housing & Demographics
Valencia is facing record-breaking rents this summer, with more rooms for rent than whole apartments — a sign that many residents are being forced into shared housing, Las Provincias reports. Dozens of new projects and thousands of empty plots remain tied up in bureaucratic red tape, rising costs, and a lack of construction crews. At the same time, the region’s birth rate continues to fall while migration rises, putting pressure on schools and the social housing system. Some unaccompanied minors are even being housed in hostels and sports centers, according to Las Provincias.
More reading:
City Transport
Valencia’s metro has wrapped up summer works, with Lines 5 and 7 now running between Arago and Marítim, and Line 1 extended to Masies and Bétera. But service will be disrupted by union strikes from September 1 – 8, Valencia Plaza reports. EMT bus routes are also affected by year-long works on Av. Pérez Galdós. Check the EMT website for route detours. Meanwhile, Metrovalencia fares have changed this summer, so SUMA Mobilis card users may need to top up to match the new tariffs. Meanwhile, Valencia Airport continues to expand with a new Helsinki route starting next summer.
More reading:
Welcome back – your posts already are my “go to”
Atika for Mayor!
Hah! I would put a crying with laughter emoji here but I have yet to figure out how to do that on this site. One step at a time!
Pont de Valencia is the best – thank you for this invaluable, thoughtfully curated information, Atika!
The remake is even more fabulous than the original!