Week in News: Power Shifts and Political Uncertainty

Bon dia! Valencia faces a week of political limbo after Carlos Mazón’s resignation, as parties wrangle over his replacement amid the fallout from last year’s DANA. Still, the city found lighter moments — pop stars lit up Roig Arena and a baby rhino arrived at the Bioparc.

This week, we’re also launching a new feature for kids and families navigating life in Valencia, so keep an eye out!

Mazón resignation: What next?

Carlos Mazón finally resigned as president of the Generalitat after months of political protests. He will remain a deputy to maintain parliamentary immunity during the ongoing court investigation into the government’s botched response to last year’s DANA disaster.

More reading in Spanish: Key words from Mazón’s resignation speech – Las Provincias

Les Corts, the Valencian parliament, has until 19 November to submit candidates for Mazón’s replacement. If Les Corts cannot agree on an interim president, it will be dissolved and a new election called — a process that could stretch into March, overlapping with Fallas if no consensus is reached, Valencia Plaza explains.

The governing party, Partido Popular, is hoping for a quick replacement supported by the far-right party Vox, leading to negotiations on hot-button issues like migration, reports El País.

Meanwhile, Mazón faces a grilling at Les Corts this Tuesday to give his account of the day of the flood, writes EFE. Some protests are demanding prison time for Mazón’s inaction during the DANA disaster, reports Las Provincias.

On the same day as Mazón’s resignation last week, former TV presenter Maribel Vilaplana testified in court about her lunch with Mazón on the day of the flood. Her statement, however, has raised new questions about her contacts with Mazón and the mysterious “envelope, photograph, and sweater” from that day, writes Valencia Plaza.

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Environment and Urban Planning

The political uncertainty casts a shadow over key projects in the city. Vox’s opposition to the planned low-emission zone, for example, may put the long-awaited works along Avenida Pérez Galdós in jeopardy, reports Las Provincias.

To prevent construction in flood zones, the government will now allow municipalities to purchase land near rivers and flood-prone areas — a controversial measure introduced in response to the DANA damage, writes Valencia Plaza.

Valencia has been expanding and rebuilding for centuries, Las Provincias writes in this interesting historical look at the city’s 1865 decision to tear down its medieval walls and modernize its streets.

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Real Estate & Economy

The neighborhood of Jesús has become Valencia’s most affordable area to rent, according to Las Provincias. Meanwhile, new demand is emerging for rural properties as first homes rather than holiday retreats, reports Valencia Plaza.

The Forbes Spain list includes five Valencian fortunes this year — with Mercadona’s Roig family well represented, writes Las Provincias.

Valencia is closing 2025 with record British tourism figures, according to Valencia Plaza from London’s World Travel Market.

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Culture & City Life

The Los 40 Music Awards brought a wave of Spanish pop stars to Valencia this weekend. Levante-EMV has video of Ed Sheeran and Rosalía lighting up Roig Arena.

Valencia’s Bioparc welcomed a new baby rhinoceros, marking a milestone in its conservation program. Las Provincias has the baby photos.