Spain PM says flood disaster debate must follow recovery

By AFP
November 12, 2024
People walk through mud in a street, following heavy rains that caused floods, in Paiporta, near Valencia, Spain, on November 4, 2024. — Reuters
People walk through mud in a street, following heavy rains that caused floods, in Paiporta, near Valencia, Spain, on November 4, 2024. — Reuters

MADRID: The political reckoning over Spain´s deadliest floods in decades must wait until after the country recovers from the disaster, which triggered widespread anger at the governing class, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday.

His government also announced a fresh aid package worth almost 3.8 billion euros as Spain counts the cost of the October 29 disaster that has killed 222 people. The exceptional Mediterranean storm that lashed the European nation particularly devastated the eastern Valencia region, which has suffered most of the deaths and destruction.

Outrage at the authorities for their perceived mismanagement before and after the floods triggered mass protests on Saturday, the largest in Valencia city which drew 130,000 people.