Brussels – On Wednesday, the European Parliament observed a moment of silence to pay tribute to the victims of the floods caused by the DANA weather event, which severely impacted the eastern and southern parts of Spain, particularly the Valencian Community.
This moment of reflection was called for by the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, who conveyed that Europe is “in shock” and “in mourning” for those who perished in the floods.
In a statement made in Spanish, Metsola highlighted, “The European Parliament stands in solidarity with Spain during these difficult times,” adding that the institution will support rebuilding initiatives.
Metsola also reiterated the Parliament’s dedication to assist by increasing the flexibility of financial resources to mitigate the disaster’s consequences. She stressed the urgent need to provide support to the victims while also prioritizing the enhancement of readiness and addressing the climate emergency.
During the session, the European Commission noted that DANA acts as a “harsh reminder” of the urgent climate crisis, which increasingly threatens citizen safety due to rising global temperatures.
“Extreme weather events force us to reflect not just on the impacts of climate change on future generations but also on our current preparations, as the urgency is already present,” remarked Janez Lenarcic, the European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, during the discussion on DANA.
Lenarcic chose not to delve into disaster management, instead ensuring that all EU aid would be made available, although this did not prevent a vigorous debate between the Popular Party (PP) and the Socialist Party (PSOE).
The PP rebuked the third vice president of the Spanish government and European commissioner candidate, Teresa Ribera, for her handling of the aftermath of DANA, urging the socialists to withdraw her nomination for the European Commission. Conversely, the socialists pointed fingers at the president of the Valencian Generalitat, Carlos Mazón.
This scenario showcased how national politics permeated European dialogues, as the PP leveraged the DANA management concerns to justify their resistance against Ribera’s confirmation as vice president of the Commission, despite Brussels asserting that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen continues to back her.
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