Good morning! Here’s your news for Monday, 14 April. Semana Santa continues this week with processions and festivities across the city. If you’re curious about Valencia’s unique maritime traditions, check out the latest blog post: Semana Santa Marinera: Valencia’s Unique Maritime Holy Week
Semana Santa
Palm Sunday brought good weather and large crowds to the beaches and processions, marking a strong start to the holiday week. Levante: AEMET weather forecast | Las Provincias: Palm Sunday processions
Politics
Salomé Pradas, former Interior Minister, gave an emotional testimony last week in the ongoing investigation into October’s floods. She defended President Carlos Mazón, blaming technical staff for failing to convey the urgency of the disaster. Las Provincias: Pressure on Mazón | Valencia Plaza: Mazón grilled in session
A new protest against Mazón’s flood response is scheduled for 28 April. This will be the sixth consecutive monthly protest since the disaster. El País: Protest called six months after the DANA
Flood Recovery
The regional government has launched an online suggestion box for citizens to give feedback on the recovery plan. El Español: Public input encouraged
A new flood prevention strategy is being developed for the city, focused on river overflow.
Valencia Extra: Prevention plan in development
Valencia’s beaches have been cleared of flood debris and are now ready for summer.
Levante: Beaches prepared for bathing season
Traffic and Transport
Residents blocked access to the Pérez Galdós tunnel, demanding its removal. They argue it worsens traffic, increases pollution, and disrupts local commerce. La Razón: Neighborhood protest
Metro Valencia is struggling due to flood-related repairs, underfunding, and strain from free travel programs. Levante: Collapse of metro system
Cabify is introducing a motorcycle-sharing service in Valencia with 200 vehicles. Valencia Plaza: Cabify enters motosharing market
Changing City
Valencia gained nearly 20,000 new residents in the past year, with around 20% being foreign nationals. Levante: Population growth | Valencia Extra: Where newcomers come from
The city council plans to approve a new housing development in Benimaclet: 400 homes and 30,000 m² of green space. Valencia Extra: Benimaclet project moves forward
The city has released the latest survey on housing. A whopping 96% of residents feel they live in a “well-connected” neighborhood and nearly half live in a home they fully own and nearly a quarter pay rent. Ayuntamiento: 96% live in “well-connected area”.
Crime and Corruption
Police arrested three members of a family-run drug network operation in Ruzafa. Las Provincias: Ketamine, speed, ‘pink cocaine’, and viagra – drug supermarket busted.
The murder of an American violinist has focused attention on the building where his body was found—an abandoned structure from the 1950s known as the “German Workshop.” Levante: Urban exploration site under scrutiny
Climate and Environment
The EU is planning to ban single-use plastics commonly found in restaurants, including mini servings of olive oil and jam. Las Provincias: New EU regulation on plastics
The city council is working to control Valencia’s pigeon population, which has increased by 60% since 2021. El Español: Pigeon control measures
That’s all for today’s update. The next news roundup will be posted on Thursday. Have a great week!
