Collboni defends cities as guarantors of democracy in Barcelona

The mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, warns of the rise of the far right and ultraliberal proposals during the inauguration of World In Progress at the Palace of Congresses of Catalonia.

The mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, has alerted to the growth of the far right and ultraliberal approaches, which he claims exploit fears and insecurities and question the role of public institutions. He stated this at the inauguration of the World In Progress, held at the Palace of Congresses of Catalonia.

“In the face of those who want to turn fear into division, democratic politics must transform uncertainty into trust and hope.”

Collboni acknowledged that the lack of housing, the absence of decent jobs, and the lack of future prospects, especially among young people, generate distrust and disaffection. According to the mayor, this breeding ground favours extremist and polarising ideas.

From there, he defended the role of cities in the defence of democracy. For the mayor, it is in the neighbourhoods where inequalities become visible, but also where coexistence is built.

“It is in our neighbourhoods where inequalities become visible, but also where coexistence and shared responses are built.”

The President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, also spoke at the forum. He positioned the 29 November elections as a “transcendental struggle” in which Spaniards must choose between democracy or authoritarianism.

“Catalonia chooses democracy.”

Illa presented two options: to strengthen multilateral institutions or to move towards a world divided into large blocs. He cited the situation in Brazil and what will be decided at the polls in the United States and in Spain, and argued that this is a concrete cause and not an abstract one.

In later statements to a radio programme, Illa said he does not perceive an “end of cycle” in Spain, but rather a “positive cycle.” He expressed his hope that Pedro Sánchez will repeat as president of the Government and stated that the citizenry is “very mature” and knows how to distinguish “the wheat from the chaff.”