Less than a year after his appointment, Francisco José Gan Pampols has stepped down as vice president of the Valencian Community. His final public appearance was at an official parade, after which he announced his resignation, citing personal reasons. This move coincided with the departure of President Carlos Mazón, sparking widespread discussion in the region’s political circles.
Gan Pampols was brought into the government to coordinate the recovery of areas affected by the devastating DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos) in October 2024. Despite efforts made, the pace and effectiveness of the recovery faced criticism. The general himself admitted that the recovery process was more complex and slower than expected, and that cooperation with central authorities was not always productive. He stressed that many decisions were difficult to reach, and some challenges remained unresolved.
With Gan Pampols’ departure, the period when a military expert oversaw recovery has come to an end. His role and the vice presidency now pass to Vicente Martínez Mus, who previously managed environmental, infrastructure, and territorial development issues. The new leader is expected to continue implementing the Endavant plan, which includes restoring transport systems, repairing water treatment facilities, and addressing the aftermath of the natural disaster. According to estimates, about half of the planned measures have been completed, but much work still lies ahead.
Political instability and the search for a successor
The situation is further complicated by the fact that, along with Gan Pampols’ departure, the region has also lost its head of government. Mazón announced his resignation, which took many by surprise. The Valencian Parliament (Les Corts Valencianes) decided not to hold any plenary sessions until a new president is elected. Political parties have been given 12 days to nominate candidates, after which a vote will be scheduled.
Meanwhile, the commission investigating the circumstances of DANA continues its work. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and several ministers have been summoned to the hearings, but their participation remains in question since they are not required to attend regional commissions. This adds tension to the relationship between local and central authorities.
Challenges for the new leadership
The vice president will not only need to complete the recovery efforts, but also establish a dialogue with Madrid. Regional authorities are counting on support from their coalition partner Vox to maintain a stable majority in parliament. At the same time, government representatives emphasize that recovery efforts in the affected areas must not stop for a single day.
In the coming weeks, it will become clear who will lead the Valencian Community and what the next steps will be in the strategy to address the aftermath of the DANA. Local residents are waiting for concrete action and real change, as rebuilding infrastructure and returning to normal life remain top priorities for thousands of families.
