A unified political opposition in Badalona has forced an extraordinary plenary session of the city council to address what it terms a “social emergency” over homelessness. The move comes after the city registered the deaths of five people living on the streets since the beginning of the year.
According to an exclusive report by Metrópoli, a coalition of parties including the Socialists (PSC), Esquerra Republicana (ERC), Badalona en Comú, and Guanyem Badalona have successfully triggered the special session, scheduled for Friday, 27 March 2026. They accuse the municipal government, led by controversial mayor Xavier García Albiol of the Partido Popular, of “institutional neglect” in handling the growing crisis.
A City on Edge
The situation has reached a boiling point following a series of tragedies. The death of a fifth homeless individual this year acted as a catalyst, uniting parties across the political spectrum against the current administration’s approach. The latest death has intensified public scrutiny of the city’s social services and emergency provisions for its most vulnerable residents.
Opposition figures argue that the deaths were preventable and are a direct result of inadequate policies. Fernando Carrera, leader of the local PSC branch, stressed the gravity of the situation, stating that “urgent responses are needed.”
Dolors Sabaté of Guanyem Badalona echoed this sentiment, delivering a scathing indictment of the mayor’s strategy. She declared that the Popular Party’s approach is a “model of death on the street.”
The Can Bofí Vell Shelter Dispute
At the heart of the political dispute is the future of the Can Bofí Vell facility, a former shelter that the opposition and the Catalan regional government, the Generalitat de Catalunya, want to see reopened to provide emergency accommodation.
However, Mayor Albiol’s administration has steadfastly refused this option. The municipal government confirmed it is working on creating a new social dining hall but stated that reopening the shelter is off the table. Albiol has indicated that the city will pursue “another model” of reception, though details of this alternative plan remain scarce.
Aïda Llauradó, leader of Badalona en Comú, has demanded that Albiol implement an immediate “shock plan.” She pointed out that the government has the means but not the will to act. “In the Catalan Parliament, 30 million euros have been agreed upon in the Generalitat’s budget to tackle homelessness,” Llauradó explained. “There is money and there are facilities to promote policies for the homeless, but the government is not activating them.”
A Broader Political Clash
The debate in Badalona reflects a wider conversation across Catalonia about how to address the complex issue of homelessness. Charities and social organisations have long called for a more robust, housing-first approach. Recently, Catalan charities ramped up pressure on the government, demanding significantly more funding and a comprehensive strategy.
The opposition in Badalona insists that more resources, effective policies, and a coherent municipal strategy are essential to prevent further tragedies. Alex Montornès, the leader of ERC, launched a personal attack on the mayor’s leadership style, stating, “A mayor who hates his neighbours, whether they have a home or not, is not a good mayor.”
The extraordinary session on 27 March will force the Albiol government to publicly defend its record and outline its future plans for tackling homelessness. For the opposition, it is a critical opportunity to demand accountability and push for a fundamental change in the city’s social policy before more lives are lost.
