A tense atmosphere hung over the chamber of Les Corts Valencianes. Juanfran Pérez Llorca had just been confirmed as president of the Generalitat, and his speech immediately drew attention. He spoke of change, the need for dialogue, and new priorities for the region. But despite many declarations, an unspoken question lingered in the air—one that no one dared to voice aloud.
Carlos Mazón—a name that seemed to drift through the room like a shadow. The former president, who stepped down under public pressure, wasn’t mentioned once. Pérez Llorca appeared to deliberately avoid the subject, even though Mazón had shaped Valencia’s political agenda until recently. His absence from the new regional leader’s words was especially striking against the backdrop of promises for a fresh start.
Apologies and distance
Pérez Llorca’s first step was to announce his intention to publicly apologize to the victims of the tragedy that had shaken the region. The gesture was seen as an attempt to distance himself from his predecessor, who had never found the courage to meet with those affected or their families. Despite repeated calls, Mazón not only failed to apologize but also ignored requests to refrain from attending memorial events.
At the same time, the new president was clearly eager to signal a break with the past. The photos where he was recently seen embracing Mazón are now just history. Pérez Llorca chose a different route—a path of openly acknowledging mistakes and seeking dialogue with society. His words about the need to apologize were seen as the start of a new political era.
Mazón’s Silence
However, despite all the promises of change, Mazón’s name was never mentioned in the new president’s speech. The former regional head appeared in the chamber for just a few minutes, exchanging neither words nor handshakes with Pérez Llorca. After this brief appearance, he left the session without even staying for the traditional group photo with fellow party members.
In recent weeks, Mazón has deleted his social media accounts, restricted access to his personal pages, and vanished entirely from the public eye. His silence has become another mystery in Valencia’s political scene. In September, he was giving hour-long speeches; now, he prefers to remain in the shadows, offering no commentary on current events.
Internal Party Disagreements
A new direction is emerging within the Partido Popular (People’s Party). Former allies of Mazón, such as Salomé Pradas, stress in interviews that the victims—not political ambitions—are what matters most. But trust in these statements is undermined by past experience. Public skepticism is growing: can these changes be believed, when key figures from the previous leadership remain in parliament?
Debate continues both on social media and on the streets of Valencia. Many believe that a simple apology is not enough for real change. A decisive break with the old team is needed, which also means breaking with Mazón himself. As long as he retains his parliamentary seat, the question of his influence remains unresolved.
A future without the ‘elephant’
In the corridors of Les Corts, the view is increasingly heard: if Pérez Llorca truly wants a fresh start, he will have to persuade Mazón to give up his parliamentary seat. Only then can this painful chapter finally be closed and public trust restored. For now, the former president remains that ‘elephant in the room’ that people prefer not to mention out loud.
The first steps taken by the new head of the region inspire cautious optimism. But Valencia faces a challenging road ahead — and much will depend on how determined the authorities are to break with the past.
