#MazónResignation and the Valencian identity explosion

Thousands of people again occupied the center of Valencia yesterday in a protest whose main slogan was “Mazón resignation”. It is the second mass demonstration in a short time, but it should be borne in mind that Valencians are not a people particularly inclined to protest. What is striking is that it is the first time in history that there have been mass demonstrations calling for the resignation of the president of the Generalitat, that is, of the head of the Valencian self-government. This criticism of the Generalitat for the management of DANA is combined, however, with this display of Valencian identity that we were talking about earlier. There is an awakening that I would not dare to describe as “national”, but it resembles it. The flag with the blue stripe has become a unitary symbol of popular character as well as the national anthem. Historically, all this symbology, also closely linked to the celebration of Les Fallas, agreed with the regionalism well understood of Spanish parentage, but now there is a genuine Valencian sentiment born of desperation, of seeing that, when it comes to the truth, they are the only ones left.

External recognition has also helped this Valencian self-perception. Seeing blue lights on the street lights of Barcelona would have been controversial in another context. Not now. In Spain, people speak of the “Valencian people” naturally, and a people who demand the resignation of their natural leader is a political subject with self-awareness.

The role of ACPV and the unions

So far, the right and the extreme right have not managed to colonize the protests and use them for their own benefit. This is thanks in part to organized civil society, which is basically organized Valencianism (ACPV and Escola Valenciana) and the unions. Now it seems conjured, but there was a danger that the street would be occupied by the usual bunker-shack, in Joan Fuster’s happy expression, and that the protest would be directed more towards Pedro Sánchez than towards Mazón.

It is curious, but Mazón must be today the Valencian politician with a higher degree of knowledge, thanks also to the Spanish media. And the fact that he does not express himself in his own language, which is that of the majority of those affected, is now playing against him. When he tries to express his Valencianness, it turns out to be so fake that he looks more cardboard and stone than ever, and it is the opposite of what Alberto Núñez Feijóo would like to represent. The PP, therefore, may be crushed between the Valencianist explosion and ultra rage, which will also grow. And without the Valencian Country, Feijóo will have a harder time getting to Moncloa.

The details of the week

During the presentation of the Ramon Barnils awards for investigative journalism, the President of the Parliament, Josep Rull, made a quick joke when a cell phone rang in the room. “I always say the same thing: this is Marchena calling me”, he said, also as a way of pointing out that among former political prisoners the idea that they will be imprisoned again has never disappeared despite pardons and amnesty.

The congress of the PSOE in Seville was held with the aim of consolidating the leadership of Pedro Sánchez but in a context not very favorable to the party. That’s why symbolism was important. Yesterday, when Sánchez entered the Palau de Congressos, he was greeted with the song Starlight of Muse, that is to say, “light of a star”. There is no doubt that this is how many socialist militants and leaders see it.