Jofre Clofent has stepped down as Badalona's municipal manager, just nine months before elections. His departure highlights ongoing issues with budget execution and supplier payments.
In a significant shake-up for the Badalona City Council, Jofre Clofent has resigned from his position as municipal manager after just over two years in office. This unexpected move comes at a critical time, with only nine months remaining until the upcoming municipal elections.
Clofent’s resignation was confirmed by sources within the government led by Xavier Garcia Albiol, who described the decision as mutual. The council characterized Clofent’s tenure as a “satisfactory” period that is now concluding, but many critics argue otherwise.
The role of municipal manager was created for the first time in Badalona’s democratic history to enhance coordination and modernize city administration. However, Clofent’s exit raises questions about the effectiveness of this initiative amidst mounting criticism regarding the council’s financial management.
During his time in office, Clofent faced increasing scrutiny from opposition parties and labor unions alike. Reports indicate that tensions between him and the municipal government had escalated to an unsustainable level. Union representatives allege that Clofent had become increasingly critical of how the council operated, leading to a breakdown in relations.
“His management has been absolutely disastrous in every sense,” stated a union source familiar with internal dynamics.
This sentiment reflects broader concerns about Badalona’s administrative capabilities. Critics point out that under Clofent’s leadership, only 4.5% of planned investments were executed during the first half of 2026, while ordinary budget execution stood at just 27%. These figures have fueled accusations that the city is failing to utilize its financial resources effectively.
The situation is exacerbated by alarming delays in paying suppliers; recent data shows that average payment times have reached nearly 170 days, placing Badalona among local administrations with some of the longest payment periods in Spain.
Clofent’s background includes experience as head of procurement for Badalona prior to his appointment as manager. His expertise was seen as crucial for addressing long-standing issues within city contracts and human resources management. However, union critiques suggest he struggled to meet expectations associated with such a pivotal role.
“He has done what he could or wanted during more than two years,” said another union representative, emphasizing dissatisfaction with his performance.
The resignation follows other notable changes within Badalona’s municipal structure over recent months. In July 2025, Joan Francès was dismissed from his position as director of the Museum of Badalona shortly after taking office due to similar claims about needing a new strategic direction for city planning.
The political ramifications are already being felt; Fernando Carrera, president of the Socialist Municipal Group (PSC), labeled Clofent’s resignation as evidence that “the machinery does not work” under Albiol’s leadership. He pointed out that despite having 442 million euros available in treasury funds, operational inefficiencies persist.
“Having hundreds of millions in bank reserves while suppliers wait months for payment demonstrates that money isn’t the issue; it’s management,” Carrera asserted.
The PSC has expressed gratitude towards Clofent for his contributions but lamented what they perceive as systemic failures within local governance structures since Albiol took power three years ago.
The future remains uncertain for both Clofent and Badalona City Council as they navigate these challenges ahead of crucial elections set for early next year. As residents await further developments regarding their city’s administration and services, attention will likely focus on how these changes impact local governance moving forward.
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