> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://barna.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # David Bondia sworn in as Barcelona ombudsman - URL: https://barna.news/david-bondia-sworn-in-as-barcelona/ - Published: 2026-10-07T20:28:56.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-07T20:28:56.000Z - Description: David Bondia begins a second five-year term as Barcelona's ombudsman, pledging to fight for housing as a fundamental right. - Author: Barna.News - Tags: politics ## Sworn in for second term This Wednesday, David Bondia was sworn in as the ombudsman of Barcelona at a ceremony held in the Saló de la Ciutat at City Hall. His new mandate officially begins now and will run until 2031, marking his second consecutive five-year term, the maximum allowed under the municipal charter. The Full Council ratified his appointment on 24 July 2026 following a participatory selection process, with votes in favour from PSC, Junts×BCN, Barcelona en Comú (BComú), and ERC. The PP abstained, while Vox opposed the nomination. The vote exceeded the two-thirds majority required by regulation. --- ## 'Housing is not a crisis, it's a system failure' During his inauguration, Bondia stressed that the housing situation in Catalonia is not a temporary crisis but a structural system failure. He called for housing to be redefined from a commodity to a right of use, positioning it as the fifth pillar of the welfare state. He reiterated his commitment to ensuring residents can "live well in the city", focusing on issues such as homelessness and social conflict mediation. As ombudsman, he has previously played a key role in resolving disputes at sites including Casa Orsola and occupied properties in Vallcarca. > We need to stop treating housing as a market asset and start treating it as a basic human right. Mayor Jaume Collboni presided over the ceremony, highlighting Bondia’s "double legitimacy", both political and civic, due to broad consensus across institutions and civil society. Collboni charged him with holding the municipal government to account and defending citizens' rights. --- ## Expanded role requires more resources Several council members noted that the ombudsman’s office needs greater authority, staffing, and funding to ensure its recommendations lead to tangible changes in municipal policy. Bondia acknowledged this challenge, stating that enhancing the impact of the office will depend on increased institutional support. Right-leaning councillors questioned the necessity of a municipal-level ombudsman given existing regional and national equivalents, a debate that may influence future discussions on the office’s scope and budget. Bondia, who chairs the Global Alliance of Local Ombudspersons (AGOL), has previously led the Institute of Human Rights of Catalonia and advised international bodies including the EU, UNDP, and Council of Europe. He is also a professor of International Public Law at the University of Barcelona. For more information about the ombudsman’s role and responsibilities, visit the [Barcelona City Council's official page](https://www.barcelona.cat/infobarcelona/en/new-term-of-office-for-david-bondia-as-the-barcelona-ombudsman%5F40252.html?ref=barna.news) on the appointment. --- *Primary sources:* [*Barcelona City Council*](https://www.barcelona.cat/infobarcelona/en/new-term-of-office-for-david-bondia-as-the-barcelona-ombudsman%5F40252.html?ref=barna.news)*,* [*Ayuntamiento de Barcelona*](https://www.barcelona.cat/infobarcelona/es/david-bondia-renueva-mandato-como-sindic-de-greuges-de-barcelona%5F40252.html?ref=barna.news)*,* [*ajuntament.barcelona.cat*](https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/ca/accio-de-govern/sessions/comissions-del-consell-municipal/sessio-ordinaria-mes-de-juliol-2026-0?ref=barna.news)*. Reported by particle.news, betevé.* --- ### Related on Barna.News - [Junts, BComú, ERC Force Library Strike Debate](https://barna.news/junts-bcomu-erc-force-library-strike/) - [ERC to back housing decrees despite calling them insufficient](https://barna.news/erc-to-back-housing-decrees-despite/) - [Right-wing parties reject housing decrees over false claims](https://barna.news/right-wing-parties-reject-housing/) - [Barcelona sets legacy test for major events](https://barna.news/barcelona-sets-legacy-test-for-major/)