Today, in a debate initiated by the S&D Group in the European Parliament, we call for urgent action in response to the devastating flash floods in Spain (storm DANA), which left over 215 dead and entire towns destroyed. Instead of showing solidarity, the conservative European People’s Party and its member Partido Popular spread misinformation and attack climate science, diverting attention from their role in weakening emergency services and disregarding critical warnings.

Our message is clear: rather than deflecting blame, they should find ways to support people and shield them from future devastating climate change disasters. All victims of storm DANA have our support and commitment to mobilise the Emergency Aid Reserve, the Solidarity Fund and the Civil Protection Mechanism. Looking ahead, we urge the EU to increase investment in climate prevention and prioritise emission reductions, as inaction costs far more than proactive measures. With climate impacts escalating, establishing a European Climate Adaptation Law is essential to protect citizens, support farmers, safeguard the environment, and strengthen critical infrastructure.

Iratxe García Pérez, president of the S&D Group, said:

“As a result of the worst natural catastrophe in Europe’s recent history, we have witnessed the solidarity of thousands of volunteers and the commitment of the government of Spain, which launched the largest mobilisation of the Armed Forces and the State Security Forces and Corps in times of peace. They also approved the largest aid programme launched in Spain after a natural catastrophe; aid intended to cover the basic needs of 400,000 workers, 30,000 companies and 100,000 homes.

“And, in the face of a scenario of death, suffering and destruction, the Partido Popular and its far-right partners have only misinformed citizens, fueled hatred and disrespected public services. The dignity that we owe to the victims requires transparency and the absence of lies. The reality is that on October 29, regional President of Valencia, Carlos Mazón, ignored the red alert for storm DANA that the State Meteorological Agency had issued at 7:36 in the morning. He waited more than 12 hours to send an alert message. But, by then, many people were already trapped or dead. 

“And, yesterday, in this chamber, the EPP used the hearing of the Executive Vice-President-designate, Teresa Ribera, to again lie with the sole cowardly objective of hiding its own mistakes. The reality is that Teresa Ribera represents everything they reject when facing a natural disaster: respect for science, commitment to the fight against climate change and defence of public resources.

“It is urgent to advance in decarbonisation and adopt the European Climate Adaptation Law and to prepare infrastructures for increasingly destructive meteorological phenomena. Climate change kills. And in the face of natural disasters there is only one solution: prevention.”

Mohammed Chahim, S&D co-vice-president for the Green Deal, said: 

“Valencia’s devastation reminds us of the increasing risks we all face from climate change. Decarbonising quickly is the only durable emergency plan to avoid future catastrophes of this scale. Additionally, we need to adapt as climate change is already hitting us hard here and now.

“We are also vulnerable in another way. The way in which some eagerly promote conspiracy theories, just a few hours and days after the disaster, is irresponsible and undermine efforts to truly help and prevent. Cynically attempting quick and cheap political wins over such a tragedy says a lot about your character. Giving people false impressions, false hope, only serve to distract from the right response, the only long-lasting response, which is to stop our contribution to global warming.”