The PP of Barcelona accuses the mayor, Jaume Collboni, of renouncing Christmas lights in plaza de Catalunya to avoid evicting a camp. They demand to know how much this decision might cost.
Daniel Sirera, president of the municipal group of PP in the Barcelona City Council, considers it "shameful and incomprehensible" that Christmas lighting will not reach the square. He criticises this especially because the city holds the European Capital of Christmas title this year.
“It’s the world upside down. Collboni allows a camp to continue occupying plaza Catalunya, but it is the Barcelonians who have to give up enjoying our city.”
Sirera attributes the problem to the mayor's and the Generalitat's inability to reclaim public space. According to the popular leader, the ones affected are mainly the central merchants, who have already expressed their discontent through Barcelona Oberta, as well as the neighbours and families who visit the festive atmosphere in the centre every year.
The focus of criticism is also on the money. The City Council signed a lighting contract worth €707,850, VAT included, for three Christmas campaigns (lot 6 of file 001_25001808), with a forecast of €235,950 for 2026.
The popular group demands to know how much has been paid so far, what materials have been manufactured or purchased, and what work has been carried out. They also want to know if the awarded company could claim compensation for the suspension or modification of what was planned.
“Now we have to find out if, in addition, their inability to manage the city is going to cost us money. We will not allow the mayor's lack of authority to turn into a bill that all Barcelonians have to pay.”
The municipal government maintains that plaza de Catalunya will not be excluded from Christmas lighting. Sirera doubts this explanation and demands that the installation of the lighting be guaranteed, as well as the eviction of the square to restore normality.
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