Feijóo and Mazón will not attend the opening of the European People's Party (PP) congress in Valencia.

ValenciaNeither Alberto Núñez Feijóo nor Carlos Mazón. The president of the Spanish People's Party (PP) nor the head of the Consell (Consell) did not attend the opening of the European People's Party (PP) congress being held in Valencia this Tuesday, as initially announced. Although both leaders have conditioned their subsequent attendance on the evolution of the electricity crisis, they have explained that they intend to return in the afternoon.

The start of the European Conservatives' congress coincides with the commemoration of the floods that caused 228 deaths in the Valencian Community on October 29. This situation is uncomfortable for the Spanish Conservatives, given the discredit Mazón has suffered due to his handling of the DANA (National Flood Protection Act).

Also a thorn in the side of the European Conservatives is the gathering of relatives of DANA victims that has been taking place since mid-morning outside the Valencia Fair, the venue hosting the congress. "Don't be accomplices," the protesters shouted at the Popular Party members and leaders, referring to their support for the Valencian president. This morning's protest is just a taste of the protest that had been called for 6 p.m. The rally will take place the day after what was supposed to be the seventh demonstration demanding Mazón's resignation, but which was canceled due to the power outage.

Valencia is hosting the European PP congress with Carlos Mazón under intense political scrutiny and facing an open legal case that directly affects members of his government. This is why the Spanish Popular Party (PP) has been trying for months to minimize contact with the Valencian leader. A strategy that will be weakened, given that the congress means Feijóo will once again coincide with the Alicante politician. Therefore, Génova has been trying to downplay the issue for weeks. "He will have the position that corresponds to him," responded the deputy secretary of territorial organization, Carmen Fúnez, referring to Mazón. The Popular Party leader also noted that there will also be a space at the congress to remember the victims of the DANA.

"We have electricity, the congress will go ahead just as we planned."

The Valencia meeting will be attended by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the president of the European People's Party (PP), Manfred Weber, who will be re-elected. The congress will also serve to position Catalan leader Dolors Montserrat, spokesperson for the Conservatives in the European Parliament, as number two.

Weber stated this Tuesday that the congress will take place as planned. "We have electricity in the venue and the congress will go ahead just as we planned. The delegates are already arriving," he said in statements to the press.

The German politician expressed his gratitude to the authorities and services such as airports and assured that he is in contact with Feijóo regarding the state of the situation: "In recent days, they have shown us that we are vulnerable, that everything is very interconnected," and that, therefore, it is necessary to improve the infrastructure. In this regard, he called for a "modern" European electricity grid prepared for possible external attacks.

"Spain has no government."

Replacing Feijóo, the congress was opened by the Vice President of the European Parliament, the conservative Esteban González Pons. The Valencian politician justified the absence of the PP president because he is "fulfilling his obligation, coordinating the response" to the blackout by the PP regional presidents. "The last 24 hours have been very difficult for Spain and Portugal," Pons emphasized, adding that to respond to disasters, Spain has "a state, but not a government": "Every time something undesirable happens, it is the State that saves the Spanish people, in the absence of its government." "My country... family," he added.

Pons concluded the speech by expressing his "pride" that the European People's Party congress is being held in Valencia, a choice that, in reference to the anniversary of the DANA, "could not be more symbolic."