An amazing increase in registration irregularities
The city of Girona, under the management of the CUP, has experienced extraordinary growth in the cases of fraud linked to the municipal register. The statistics of 2024 reveal that the number of fraudulent registration has been raised to 180, a figure that contrasts dramatically with the 22 cases reported the previous year, reflecting an increase of more than 700%.
Control measures and their consequences
This significant increase can be attributed to the tightening of the control policies implemented by the City Council. Actions include direct debit verification through the intervention of police forces and social agents. City Council sources say that ‘95% of the investigations that cause suspicion are effectively irregular, and they act accordingly.’
The census: an access door to essential services
The census is a fundamental tool for accessing public services such as education, social aid and health care. Many people resort to fraudulent registration to benefit from these services without really residing at the recorded address. In addition, it is well known that a significant number of these frauds are starred by individuals of foreign origin.
A strategic change in the CUP
Beyond compliance with the City Council’s control functions, what really stands out is the recently adopted pragmatic turn. This situation reveals a hypocritical contrast in its policies, despite the fact that its leaders have not issued comments in this regard, the change of tone is undeniable.
The precedent of Orriols
Many will remember the criticism received by Mayor Orriols for the same actions that now take Mayor Salellas. Orriols defended its action as the legitimate use of the resources available for the councils. Now, in a comment on social media, Orriols said, ‘You first discriminate on me, and then try to copy me … Congratulations’.
A wider landscape of municipal politics
In addition to the affairs related to the census, the CUP has shown other examples of this change of approach. Its municipal policy now incorporates more flexibility in alliances with other parties, as can be seen in the approval of PSC budgets in cities such as Vilafranca del Penedès or Tortosa. At the same time, the CUP continues to applaud anti -system vandalism that provides visibility.
The impact of the garbí process
This approach to other political forces, as well as the realism in its daily management and more accessible communication, are the result of the Garbí process, a process of internal reflection that the CUP began after a series of electoral disappointments. This change in strategy marks a new chapter in its political history.