The financial situation of Badalona under scrutiny
Badalona, one of the most emblematic cities in Barcelonès Nord, is caught in the midst of a political and economic storm. Councillor Eva Guillen has categorically denied reports suggesting an intervention by the Ministry of Finance due to unpaid bills to suppliers, calling these claims "absolutely false" and "alarmist".
Despite the official denial, opposition groups -PSC, ERC, ECP, and Guanyem- have joined forces to demand explanations from Mayor Xavier García Albiol. In a joint statement, they have requested an urgent meeting with the mayor and the municipal auditor. The opposition argues that recent reports reveal a "flagrant breach" of payment deadlines and an alarming financial situation.
Guillen has acknowledged that the City Council has been struggling with the average payment period (PMP) since 2018. The Generalitat had already warned about this breach before. However, the councillor has defended the current management of the municipal government, assuring that measures are being taken to reverse this critical situation.
Among the actions highlighted by Guillen is the tendering of essential municipal contracts that were overdue when the new government team took office. These contracts are crucial for being able to handle invoices within the established legal deadlines. Additionally, she announced a plan to regularise the debt accumulated from unpaid invoices; a significant package aimed at settling part of this debt will be presented in December.
Despite the local government's efforts, opposition parties remain unconvinced. They have denounced what they consider a failure in economic management and have emphasised an “atypical” surplus and a low level of budget execution. The opposition demands total transparency regarding economic reports and an immediate plan to avoid what they describe as an “administrative collapse”.
Municipal groups warn that this crisis not only affects the City Council's finances but also essential public services. “It is unacceptable for Badalona to accumulate hundreds of millions without execution while vital services continue to deteriorate,” they have stated. The lack of payments is undermining trust between suppliers and public institutions.
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