Refusal to testify at inquiry

Former Valencian regional president Carlos Mazón appeared before the Spanish Congress commission of inquiry on 21 September 2026 to address the management of the 29 October 2024 flood disaster, which caused 232 deaths. Mazón announced at the beginning of the session that he would make no public statements on the catastrophe until judicial proceedings conclude. He cited a March 2026 ruling by the Valencian Superior Court of Justice, in which five judges unanimously declined to open a criminal investigation against him. Throughout the hearing, Mazón repeatedly referenced that court order to reject questions regarding political responsibility from parliamentary groups.

“The only power that can judge me is the courts, and they have already ruled on the matter.”

Clashes with lawmakers

The session marked Mazón's second appearance before the inquiry committee, following his initial testimony on 17 November 2025. Lawmakers from left-wing and regional parties confronted the former regional leader over his actions on the day of the disaster, including his hours spent at the El Ventorro restaurant with journalist Maribel Vilaplana. Àgueda Micó of Compromís recalled that Supreme Court prosecutors are investigating Mazón for potential false testimony during his November 2025 appearance following a complaint filed by the PSPV. When Podemos deputy Javier Sánchez asked whether he was giving instructions while absent from the emergency center, Mazón rejected the premise.

“It is metaphysically impossible to be absent and give instructions at the same time.”

In response to EH Bildu deputy Mikel Otero asking whether he assumed command upon reaching the emergency coordination center, Mazón stated that he did not do so under any circumstances, citing regional emergency regulations.

Defense arguments and judicial developments

Mazón resigned as regional president in November 2025 but retained his seat in Les Corts Valencianes, preserving his parliamentary immunity. On 1 September 2026, his legal defense submitted a brief to Judge Nuria Ruiz Tobarra at Court of Instruction Number 3 in Catarroja. The document argued that no evidence demonstrates Mazón ordered halts to the Es-Alert mobile warning system, and claimed no causal link exists between his actions and at least 42 of the fatalities. The Catarroja court had previously examined whether Mazón instructed his chief of staff, José Manuel Cuenca, to prevent regional interior minister Salomé Pradas from issuing confinement advisories.

Protests and political reactions

Outside the Congress of Deputies building in Madrid, approximately 50 people representing victims' associations gathered during the hearing. Demonstrators carried banners calling for truth and demanded that Mazón abandon political activity entirely. Mariló Gradolí, spokesperson for the Associació de Víctimes de la DANA 29 d'Octubre, criticized his continued presence in public office. Rosa Álvarez, president of the Asociación Víctimas Mortales DANA 29-O, urged full accountability for the 232 victims. Spanish Science Minister and PSPV leader Diana Morant questioned why People's Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo has allowed Mazón to retain his parliamentary seat.