Bon dia! Here is your news update for Monday, 9 June. You might notice a change on the website — that’s because Pont de Valencia now has its own domain! I’m also upgrading some site features, including the format for these news updates and weekend highlights. Let me know what you think.
Politics in Valencia
President Carlos Mazón spent the weekend in Madrid at the Conference of Presidents — a summit between Spain’s central government and regional leaders — and later joined a Partido Popular rally demanding early elections. Analysts described the conference as “a succession of monologues.”
Conference of nothing: the meeting between Sánchez and the Autonomous Communities is a succession of monologues (Valencia Plaza)
Mazón travels to Madrid demonstration against the Government (Las Provincias)
At home, Mazón has been quietly meeting with flood victims in L’Horta Sud — seven months after the disaster — in what appears to be a bid to rebuild political momentum amid rumors that national party leaders want him replaced.
Mazón’s unannounced meetings with flood victims (Valencia Plaza)
Mazón mounts a resistance (Valencia Plaza)
Meanwhile, an investigation into contracts granted to a Mazón ally has been shelved, days after Transparency International criticized Valencia for weakening anti-corruption oversight.
Anti-corruption closes the investigation on contracts from the Diputación de Alicante to a friend of Mazón (El País)
Flood Recovery
The court case into October’s deadly floods continues. Emergency technicians testified that the Generalitat received early alerts but failed to act. Separately, the CHJ water authority reportedly missed several warnings about rising river levels.
Emergency technician reveals SMS to Generalitat on day of the DANA (El Mundo)
CHJ skipped three alerts about the increase in the flow of Poyo (Valencia Plaza)
Flood recovery has driven historic levels of public works — including elevated parking in La Torre and a new flood-proof metro station at Valencia Sud. But a shortage of builders has left many private repairs stalled.
Public investment in the Community by DANA reaches 1.372 million, “historic maximum” (Valencia Plaza)
Modified General Plan for elevated parking and flood prevention in La Torre (Ajuntament de València)
Flood-proof parking lot of 500 places: this will be the new metro station of Valencia Sud (Valencia Plaza)
“People can’t go back to their homes, they can’t find bricklayers to fix them” (Levante)
Economic News
Valencia’s economy is growing, but Feria Valencia — the city’s emblematic convention center — is in financial crisis after losing the Cevisama ceramics trade fair it hosted for 40 years.
Valencia Chamber of Commerce calls for a reactivation policy for Feria Valencia after Cevisama bids farewell (Valencia Plaza)
Feria Valencia borders on collapse after consuming all its reserves (Valencia Plaza)
The Generalitat’s liquidity crunch has begun to affect schools, with warnings of delayed payments. President Mazón blames the central government for not extending emergency funding.
Mazón government’s lack of liquidity results in first defaults: schools warn of “problems” due to delays (El Mundo)
Meanwhile, foreign-owned businesses are booming — especially among new self-employed residents from Latin America and Eastern Europe.
Foreigners take on new businesses in the Community: growing by 15 times to a new record (Las Provincias)
Housing Shortage
Property prices have reached an 18-year high, driven by demand and a sharp increase in tourist rentals — many of which were approved under the previous government.
The price of housing in the Valencian Community reaches its highest rise in 18 years (Levante)
Tourist flats instead of fruit shops in Valencia (Las Provincias)
Public Health
A man from Agres died from rabies after being bitten by a dog while abroad. He sought treatment too late. Now, travel vaccination centers are overwhelmed with requests.
Deceased in rabies death was a restaurant owner in Agres (Las Provincias)
Collapse of travel vaccines: No dates available until August (Las Provincias)
Crime and Policing
Victims of the Campanar apartment fire in March are appealing a judge’s dismissal of a criminal probe, citing flammable cladding concerns. Another Campanar building caught fire this weekend.
Victims of the Campanar fire appeal dismissal (Valencia Plaza)
40 neighbors evacuated from a 14-story building in Campanar (Las Provincias)
An escaped prisoner from Picassent prison has confessed to receiving inside help. Two people — including a prison officer — are under investigation.
Prison officer and security company employee under investigation after Picassent escapee confesses (Las Provincias)
Interest has resurfaced in the “Black Widow of Patraix” murder case after a Netflix dramatization.
What happened to Maje and Antonio’s apartment? (Las Provincias)
In a separate case, a man has been sentenced to 11 years for killing his 72-year-old lover and burying the body in planter pots on his terrace.
11 years in prison for man who buried his 72-year-old lover in planter pots (Levante)
Changing City
The city will resurface Gran Via Marqués del Túria for the first time in 35 years — a three-month project costing €1.3 million.
Gran Via Marqués del Túria to be resurfaced after 35 years (Ajuntament de València)
The legal fight over Marina restaurant concessions has reached a temporary deal: restaurants will remain open for now despite expired licenses.
Marina restaurants to stay for now, despite expired concessions (El País)
A historic building in Cabanyal once targeted for demolition will now become an aparthotel.
Cabanyal building saved from demolition to become an Aparthotel (Levante)
In Sant Antoni, the city has approved a plan to convert the Guatla warehouses into a green park and community space.
The Governing Board approves the public use of the Guatla naves (Ajuntament de València)
Sports and Culture
Spain had a bittersweet weekend in sports: Carlos Alcaraz triumphed at the French Open but Spain’s national football team fell to Portugal in the Nations League final.
Alcaraz fights back in epic tennis battle — Las Provincias
Portugal beats Spain on penalties in intense Nations League final — Levante
The Les Arts Festival drew thousands of music lovers to the City of Arts and Sciences this weekend, completely packing the iconic venue. But not everyone was celebrating — some nearby residents, overwhelmed by the noise, are calling for limits on the growing summer concert season.
Full house on the first day of the Les Arts festival — Levante
The B-side of Les Arts Concerts: “I had to pay for a hotel so my son could study” — Las Provincias