The spokesperson for the conservative People's Party (PP), César Sánchez, was expelled from a Spanish Congress commission in Madrid during a recent session investigating the 'cold drop' extreme weather event of 29 October, a phenomenon that can also affect Catalonia's Mediterranean coast.
The incident occurred during the testimony of José Ángel Núñez Mora, head of Climatology for the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) in the Valencian Country. Commission President Carmen Martínez ordered Sánchez's removal after issuing three warnings, following his repeated questioning of the session's procedures and accusations that the presidency was acting in a “discretionary and sectarian” manner.
Minutes after his third interruption, amidst a tense exchange with both the president and the witness, Sánchez disregarded instructions and was forced to leave the room. The remaining PP deputies subsequently followed their spokesperson out, underscoring the high level of political confrontation that characterised the session.
During his appearance, Núñez Mora asserted that “sufficient and precise” information had been available to activate preventive measures ahead of the 29 October 'cold drop'. He criticised the Valencian regional government, known as the Consell, for failing to interpret these warnings adequately. According to Núñez Mora, the institutional response was “catastrophic” and reactive, with action only taken once “the water was already flowing down the ravines.”
Calls for Improved Emergency Response
The AEMET official argued that decisions such as preventive confinement could have saved lives and stressed the importance of acting before rainfall began, given the limited response time during such extreme weather episodes. He also highlighted “dysfunctions” in emergency coordination, advocating for more cohesive systems and a single, unified structure to enable a more effective response to similar future events.
The confrontational atmosphere persisted throughout the session. At one point, President Martínez warned Núñez Mora that some deputies were “trying to make him nervous” and assured him protection to continue his testimony. Sánchez, the PP spokesperson, even sarcastically remarked “what an honour” when the witness was given time to clarify information and defend his right to honour.
The ongoing enquiry into the 29 October 'cold drop' continues to highlight deep divisions within Spanish politics regarding emergency management and accountability. Future sessions are expected to further examine the institutional response and potential reforms, with implications for how extreme weather events, which are increasingly common, are handled across all of Spain, including Catalonia.
