Motions and Citizen Debate
Manlleu was the scene of a procedural municipal meeting with several issues up for debate, including two significant motions. The first motion, which dealt with the preservation of local traditions such as devil dances and fire gangs, was approved by unanimous agreement. On the other hand, the second motion, which called for greater autonomy for the Catalan people, generated controversy.
Postures and Criticisms
Plataforma per Catalunya expressed its opposition to the second motion, considering it a distraction from more urgent issues such as the economic crisis. In addition, they criticized the mayor for not complying with the regulations regarding the Spanish flag. In this sense, Councilor Joan Manuel Márquez showed a set of flags symbolic of the Spanish national diversity.
Positions and Votes
The motion was approved with the support of Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya and Convergència i Unió, while the Partit dels Socialistes de Catalunya abstained, arguing that it was premature to address this issue without first resolving other important issues such as local funding and the ‘approval of the statute. Also, the mayor defended the actions of the administration to face the crisis.
Decisions and Regulatory Changes
The plenum also modified the public coexistence ordinance to advance the closing time of bars to twelve at night, a measure adopted after problems were detected and sanctions applied. As for other issues, there was a debate on the postponement of the works in Plaça Fra Bernadí, with specific proposals to minimize the impact on traders during the Christmas season.
The governing team accepted the PSC’s proposal and promised to address the issue once the relevant grievances are resolved. Thus, the Manlleu municipal meeting reflected an intense debate on local issues of interest and decisions that affect coexistence and the development of the community.