The Farewell of a Political Figuerot
Xavier Trias, the former mayor of Barcelona, will have an unforgettable moment this Friday, July 26, when he says goodbye to the municipal council. This act represents the closing of a significant chapter that opened in 2003 when he began his time as councilor, which was consolidated with his term as mayor between 2011 and 2015. In this last period, which began in June 2023, expectations of continuity collided with his failed investiture, finally displaced by an agreement between PSC, Barcelona en Comú and PP that brought Jaume Collboni to the fore.
Reflections of Jordi Martí
In a recent appearance, Jordi Martí, who currently serves as spokesman for the municipal group called Trias, praised the services of the former mayor in favor of Barcelona and Catalonia. He pointed out that after his last electoral victory, Trias would have deserved a new stage as mayor. Nevertheless, it showed a spirit of collaboration with the government of Collboni, which was rejected. Martí stated that the legacy of Trias is difficult to replace within Catalan politics.
New Changes in the Municipal Group
With Trias’ decision to leave the political stage, Jordi Martí will assume the position of president of the municipal group. Neus Munté, current deputy spokesperson, will become the new spokesperson. In addition, Carme Lleó will occupy the vacancy left as councilor, being the next on the electoral list.
Critical Issues of the Plenary
Within the same plenum, one of the most prominent proposals is the increase in the tourist tax surcharge to four euros per night. This initiative already has the support of the Economy Commission and it is expected that its approval will be favorable, with a view to implementing it before April 2025. The opposition groups, including ERC and the PP, will present also its proposals related to responsible and quality tourism.
Initiatives for Culture and Housing
Among the new proposals, TriasXBCN wants to promote the Catalan language, demanding more attention from the municipal government. It is also expected that the communes will propose a Special Urban Planning Plan for temporary rentals, as well as speed up the extension of the tram along Diagonal. In this context, the plenary session will close with Trias’ speech, which seeks to leave an emotional message of hope for the city.
