Junts per Barcelona has launched an early election campaign targeting Mayor Jaume Collboni, accusing him of “turning his back on the city” more than a year before the 2027 municipal elections. The party unveiled AI-generated posters depicting the Mayor covering his mouth, eyes, and ears, symbolising their criticism. This aggressive pre-campaign signals an intensified political battle for Barcelona’s leadership.
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Junts Criticises Mayor’s Leadership
Jordi Martí, the leader of Junts in the City Council, stated, “He neither looks, nor listens, nor responds.” He made these remarks during a press conference where the campaign materials were presented. The campaign includes additional posters showing Mayor Collboni with his back turned. Another poster features him in front of a senyera, the Catalan flag. Junts claims this image highlights the Mayor’s alleged renunciation of Barcelona’s role as Catalonia’s capital. This accusation resonates with some residents who believe the city’s unique identity requires stronger advocacy.
Mr Martí cited an example from the same morning. He reported that Mayor Collboni delivered his entire speech exclusively in Castilian during the new Cupra Raval presentation at Casa Seat. Junts accuses the Mayor of ignoring urban insecurity, a persistent concern for many Barcelona residents. They also claim he fails to meet commitments, such as the 30% social housing reform. This reform mandates that new developments and major renovations allocate 30% of their space to affordable housing. Furthermore, Junts alleges Mayor Collboni does not listen to residents’ concerns across the city’s diverse neighbourhoods.
Junts Outlines Alternative Policies
Junts per Barcelona positions itself as an alternative to what they term “Collboni’s Barcelona.” Their campaign material outlines several proposed solutions for the city’s 1.6 million residents. These include reducing taxes for families and middle-class citizens, aiming to ease the cost of living in the expensive metropolitan area. They also advocate for effective policies to combat homelessness, a visible social challenge in Barcelona. Additionally, Junts demands that the Spanish State fulfil its financial commitments to Barcelona, particularly regarding infrastructure investments. The party proposes increasing the City Police force to 4,000 officers to enhance public safety. They also promise 10,000 public homes with a “real calendar” for construction, addressing the critical housing shortage.
This early campaign kick-off comes 13 months before the next municipal elections. Barcelona’s political landscape is often highly contested, with a history of coalition governments. The city holds significant symbolic and economic importance for Catalonia, making its mayoral race a key indicator of regional political sentiment. The current Socialist Party (PSC) administration, led by Mayor Collboni, faces ongoing scrutiny. Issues like housing affordability, public safety, and the city’s relationship with the Catalan government remain central to local political debate.
Uncertainty Over Junts’ Candidate
Paradoxically, Junts per Barcelona begins this extended pre-campaign without a defined candidate for the 2027 elections. Mr Martí admitted, “We are late” in selecting a frontrunner. He expressed his desire to lead the party list since Xavier Trias’s departure from municipal politics. The party leadership has pledged to propose a candidate to the Barcelona federation before summer. While primaries are “a solution,” they are not the only option, according to Mr Martí. This internal uncertainty adds another layer to Junts’ electoral strategy as they challenge the incumbent Mayor.
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Originally published by Ara Cat. Read original article.
