MADRID (
Spanish King Felipe VI delivered his customary Christmas Eve address, during which he paid tribute to the victims of the devastating flash floods in Valencia. He emphasized the importance of maintaining calm as the nation grapples with pressing matters like immigration and the rising costs of housing.
In a recorded message that typically highlights the year’s significant events, Felipe expressed that Spain “must never forget the pain and sadness” inflicted by the floods. The torrential rains on October 29 resulted in over 225 fatalities in eastern Spain, obliterating numerous homes and leaving neighborhoods buried under mountains of wrecked vehicles. Certain areas experienced rainfall equivalent to an entire year’s worth within just eight hours.
As the initial shock transformed into frustration in early November, a political blame game ensued, particularly targeting regional governments for their delayed emergency alerts on the day of the floods. Residents in Paiporta, one of the hardest-hit towns near Valencia, visibly expressed their discontent by throwing mud and hurling insults during the king’s and officials’ initial visit in November.
Felipe acknowledged the residents’ feelings, stating, “We have seen — and understood — the frustration, the pain, the impatience, the demands for greater and more effective coordination.” His remarks touched on the management of the disaster.
The king also brought attention to the escalating housing crisis and soaring rental prices, which have emerged as a major concern in Spain, the fourth-largest economy in the eurozone. Rapidly increasing rents in metropolitan areas like Barcelona and Madrid have left many, particularly the younger generation, struggling, especially in a nation facing persistently high unemployment rates.
He urged all stakeholders involved to “reflect” and “listen to each other” so that they could achieve housing accessibility with “affordable conditions.”
Felipe also addressed the ongoing immigration discourse, urging consideration for Spain’s European allies and the countries from which immigrants hail. He cautioned that “the way in which we are able to address immigration … will say a lot in the future about our principles and the quality of our democracy.”
He stressed the importance of preserving calmness in public discussions, even when faced with a “sometimes thunderous” political landscape.
