The heavily criticised leader of Spain's Valencia region said on Monday he was stepping down, a year after the area was hit by floods that were the country's deadliest natural disaster in a generation.

"The reality is that today I am the focus of criticism, noise, hatred and tension," Carlos Mazon said in a televised address.

"I can't go on any more."

Mazon will remain as a lawmaker in the Valencia regional parliament and is expected to be replaced as the region's leader by another member of his conservative Popular Party (PP).

He has faced fierce scrutiny over his handling of the October 29, 2024, catastrophe that killed more than 230 people, swept away 130,000 vehicles and damaged thousands of homes.

But has consistently rebuffed calls for his resignation.

Last week, relatives of t

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