The visit of the Kings of Spain, Felipe VI and Letizia, together with their daughtersPrincess Leonor and Infanta Sofía, to Catarroja, one of the towns most affected by DANA in the province of Valencia, has generated discomfort in the socialist mayor of the town, Lorena Silvent. According to the mayor, the surprise of the visit and the lack of coordination with local authorities reflect a lack of respect towards a community that has suffered the loss of 25 neighbors and that still continues to fight for its reconstruction.
The gesture of the Royal Family was seen by many as a show of support and solidarity with those affected, however, the mayor criticizes that the visit focused only on the most operational areas of the municipality, those that have already begun to reopen businesses and where a more normalized panorama is observed. On the other hand, the most devastated areas where cleaning and reconstruction work is still being carried out were left out of the visit, something that, according to Silvent, contributed to creating an image of normality that does not correspond to the real situation of the town.
From the political sphere, the criticism was not limited only to the mayor, but was also supported by other members of the Valencian PSOE, who stressed that this type of visit, although well-intentioned, should be carried out with greater planning to avoid discomfort and guarantee that adequate support is offered to the areas most in need. Likewise, the importance of communicating these visits to local officials, who are on the ground working every day for the recovery of their towns, was emphasized.
When visiting Catarroja, the Royal Family wanted to show their support for those affected by the tragedy, a gesture of closeness and humanity that, although the mayor understands that it may not have been carried out in the most appropriate way from the point of view of some, reflects the monarchy’s commitment to citizens in difficult times. King Felipe VI, aware of the importance of his institutional figure, has demonstrated on several occasions his closeness to the victims of natural disasters and has shown his willingness to support those who need it.
We must not lose sight of the Royal Family’s efforts to be present in times of crisis. The monarchy, as a symbol of unity and cohesion in Spain, plays an important role in the morale of citizens, and its presence can offer comfort to those who are going through such painful situations. It is respectable that Mayor Silvent feels that the visit was not appropriate in terms of the choice of the areas chosen, but it is important to assess the intention behind the gesture. In a context as complex as the current one, where reconstruction and recovery efforts are arduous, institutional support is essential to foster the spirit of unity and hope in the affected communities. The visit of the Kings to Catarroja represents the commitment of the Kings and these gestures of closeness reflect it in such a complicated context for the inhabitants of Catarroja and other towns affected by DANA.
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