Spanish infighting has hit the European Parliament as MEPs trade blows over the recent deadly flooding in Valencia.
In internal correspondence seen by Brussels Signal, Diego Solier of the hard-right Se Acabó La Fiesta (SALF) party accused fellow MEP and head of the Spanish delegation of the S&D group, Javier Moreno Sánchez, of spreading “falsehoods” about the government’s response to the recent devastating floods in Valencia.
On October 29, the region was severely affected by torrential rains known as a DANA (Isolated High-Level Depression), leaving at least 200 people dead.
Moreno Sánchez emailed all MEPs and assistants on November 4 to thank them for their “solidarity and interest in catastrophic events” and praised the work of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s administration.
In his message, he stressed: “The government of Spain has deployed 10,000 troops, the largest mobilisation in peacetime, and will continue to mobilise all necessary resources as long as necessary to support the population in this tragic situation.
“The solidarity and mobilisation of the local population have been impressive”.
Solier, who hails from Valencia, responded with indignation to Sánchez.
“Have you been to Valencia?” he asked.
“How many hours have you worked removing water and mud? How many police, military leaders, and citizens have you talked to and listened to? How many hours have you slept since Tuesday night?”
Solier, who was on his way to Brussels for the hearing of a commissioner-designate, said he would return to his city “to help and support my family, friends and the whole population of Valencia”.
Regarding Moreno Sánchez, he added: “Please don’t send all our colleagues in Parliament an email full of falsehoods trying to make people believe that the government is supporting the people of Valencia.”
Solier said there was now a need to “start working on direct measures for citizens”. That was seen as a reference to what some have claimed was the European Union’s inaction regarding the situation in Valencia.
The situation in Valencia, though, has sparked criticism.
According to local witnesses, it took five days for security and the army to arrive, while thousands of volunteers from all over the country organised from the outset to provide food and cleaning materials.
Tensions escalated during the visit on November 3 of King Felipe and Queen Letizia, accompanied by President Pedro Sánchez and the president of the Valencian Community, Carlos Mazón.
There, some media and figures close to the government criticised locals, calling them “far-right,” “fascists,” and “nazis” after Sánchez was booed and had mud and sticks hurled at him.
Brussels Signal has contacted both MEPs for comment.
King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and PM Pedro Sánchez met with angry crowds at "ground zero" in Valencia after devastating floods claimed over 200 lives. https://t.co/H1XvpflKYn
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) November 4, 2024
