Víctor Maceda: "Like Sánchez, Abascal also doesn't want Mazón to resign."

ValenciaJournalist and political analyst Víctor Maceda (Valencia, 1976) has published The scars of Valencia: From the fury of the water to collective catharsis (Portico). A book that analyzes the shared elements and differences between the great Valencia flood of 1957 and the 2024 DANA storm, paying special attention to the reaction of the political class, civil society, and the press.

From reading it, one might interpret that the political response was better in 1957.

— What I'm saying is that people who had their lives sorted out got involved, because Martí Domínguez [director of the newspaper] The ProvincesHe defied censorship by publishing articles criticizing the inaction of the Franco regime, which led to his ostracism. And Mayor Tomás Trenor gave a speech denouncing the negligence of the fascist authorities, despite knowing the consequences; he was purged.

Can't you find that commitment now?

— All the politicians, and especially the president of the Generalitat, have tried to save their careers.

One of his complaints in the book is that Valencian society lacks the capacity to assert itself. Why?

— Because of our character. We are, let's say, a cheerful people. Festive.

What is its origin?

— We are a society with Catalan and Aragonese heritage, which makes us a mix. And then we've received a huge amount of immigration from elsewhere. In the city of Alicante, 60% of the population was born outside [in other Spanish regions]. Therefore, their sense of identification with the region is relative. We have areas that are very Castilian-speaking and where there is an aversion to Valencian.

Has that behavior been encouraged?

— People here have been manipulated a lot on issues such as language.

He claims that Compromís has not taken advantage of the opportunity.

— I have the feeling that Compromís has been absolutely single-minded about the El Ventorro issue from minute one, when, if you went to the affected areas, there was a great deal of animosity towards Mazón, but also towards Sánchez.

He says that the incidents in Paiporta distanced Sánchez from the king.

— Moncloa didn't want Paiporta [because of the situation with more people affected and, therefore, more tension]. I think Mazón didn't either. But Zarzuela insisted on Paiporta, no matter what. Then, Sánchez set foot in Paiporta and had to leave because he was attacked. The PSOE was hurt that the king, aware of what had happened, continued the visit as if nothing was wrong.

Does Sánchez want Mazón to resign?

— No. He wants the public to see that Feijóo is incapable of removing him and that Mazón continues managing as if nothing happened, even though 80% of the public sees him as largely responsible. If you were a member of the PSOE, what would you prefer: that the disgraced person continues, or that they leave and a new person comes in, and that we forget what happened?

Is Minister Diana Morant a competitive candidate to run for the Generalitat?

— More so than most of the possible PSPV candidates because she is better known, less so than the government delegate, Pilar Bernabé.

And why not choose Bernabé?

— Morant was chosen earlier, and besides, Bernabé plays a very important role in the city of Valencia, where 16 or 17% of the citizens of the Valencian Community vote. And because I think Bernabé cares more about the city of Valencia than about the Generalitat.

Warning about the growth of anti-politics.

— How can anti-politics not prevail if the Spanish government and the Catalan government don't hold joint events or establish a joint commission, which is what Mazón is demanding? He has made very serious mistakes, but he is a democratically elected representative. If this man requests a meeting, the least the President of Spain can do is respond.

Why does the far right benefit the most from the DANA storm?

— Because in the global context, the wind is blowing in their favor, and because they aren't perceived as traditional politicians. That's why their departure from the regional governments is a smart move. Or does anyone believe that Vox won't grow in Paiporta, Catarroja...? Vox is currently in the ideal scenario. For the PP, there's no other partner but them, and Mazón is a weak leader. Like Sánchez, Abascal doesn't want Mazón to resign either.

Do the PP and PSOE blame Vox for its rise?

— Of course, it's due to inaction and a lack of collaboration between them. For example, during the pandemic there was daily information, and now there isn't. Perhaps it shouldn't be daily, but rather monthly, and provided jointly by both administrations. We have a Spanish president who doesn't want to come here. We know there's a very strong tense atmosphere. But if he comes, the first day there will be insults, the second day there will be some, but fewer, the third even fewer, and on the fourth, people will start saying they're concerned about what's happening. And when he's come 12 times, they'll say they're involved. Not doing so is a lack of political courage and a failure to understand that the Valencian Community is a key element for winning elections in Spain, but also for Valencians themselves, because the Valencian Community is a territory that can be won. You can't win Madrid or Castile and León, but you can win the Valencian Community. Then, in 2027, when the elections are held, they'll come and say...We've come to ask for your vote."The PSOE is giving him a free pass on the far right and on Mazón himself so that he can survive politically."