Barcelona PP leader Daniel Sirera has launched his pre-campaign for the city’s next mayoral race in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, using the event to attack Mayor Jaume Collboni and call for “Barcelonian pride”. Sirera said Collboni has not made the most of his time in office and argued that Barcelona needs a change of direction.
The launch took place in Plaça de Ferran Casablancas, less than a year before the next municipal elections. Sirera said the PP had helped block Ada Colau from staying in power and had also stopped Barcelona being governed from Waterloo, but added that Collboni had not used the chance he was given. He said the city’s main problems are insecurity, high rents and a heavy tax burden.
Sirera also accused the mayor of focusing on “ideological projects” rather than day-to-day concerns. He criticised what he called a “shop window city” approach and pointed to crime figures, saying Barcelona sees 400 robberies and four sexual assaults a day, along with five violent deaths in recent weeks. Collboni has said criminal offences have fallen, but Sirera says residents still feel unsafe.
The PP has branded the campaign Barcelona, Seriously. Sirera chose Sarrià-Sant Gervasi because the party has won the last three general, Catalan and European elections there. He said that if the PP can win in that district, it can win across the city. He also promised more police on the streets, Taser guns for the Guàrdia Urbana, and more CCTV cameras.
Housing is another key part of the pitch. Sirera criticised the 30% housing reserve policy introduced under Ada Colau, saying it has produced only around 30 public flats. He wants more public-private cooperation to speed up new homes, and says the city should cut red tape for local businesses and neighbourhood shops. For more on city politics, see our community coverage and sport coverage.
The article was originally published by Tot Barcelona. Read the original report. For official city information, see the Barcelona City Council website.
