Majority of Spaniards find government response to blackout lacking, says CIS

Saturday 03 May 2025 - 14:30

By: Dakir Madiha

Majority of Spaniards find government response to blackout lacking, says CIS

Nearly 60% of respondents in a recent flash survey conducted by the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS) deem the government’s response to the electrical blackout on April 28 as "insufficient." Specifically, 59.6% of those surveyed believe that the information provided was inadequate, compared to 28.4% who felt it was "sufficient." When asked about the details they felt were most lacking, 38% expressed a desire for "more information on the causes of the blackout," while 26.3% wanted updates on when electricity would be restored, and 24% called for "greater urgency in addressing the situation."

Survey insights into public perception

The survey, conducted between April 29 and 30, included 1,752 interviews across 668 municipalities. Among the participants, nearly half (46.2%) attribute the blackout, which left the peninsula without power for 12 hours, to "an accident or electrical failure." In contrast, 26.6% suspect a cyberattack as the primary cause, while 10.7% pointed to "other reasons."

Public preparedness in light of recent events

Interestingly, the CIS report revealed that over 54% of participants had heeded the recent advice from the European Union to maintain an emergency kit. Conversely, 44.9% had not followed this recommendation. This indicates that more than half of Spaniards took Brussels' advice seriously, despite past remarks from Beatriz Corredor, the president of Red Eléctrica, who previously downplayed the need for such preparedness during an interview in 2021.

Government's communication challenges

The CIS is known for publishing timely surveys concerning the management of President Pedro Sánchez. It previously conducted a similar poll shortly after Sánchez shared a letter hinting at his political future amid controversies surrounding his wife, Begoña Gómez. In that instance, 36.7% of respondents supported his continuation in office, while 20.9% believed he should resign, and 23.6% felt elections should be called swiftly.

As the government navigates the fallout from the blackout, this survey underscores the public’s demand for transparency and effective communication in crisis management.