Junts, a major opposition party in the Catalan Parliament, has formally requested an urgent meeting with Interior Minister Núria Parlon and senior Mossos d'Esquadra commanders to address growing public concern over security and recent violent incidents across Catalonia. This demand follows a weekend of serious events, including a fatal stabbing in Esplugues de Llobregat and a deadly confrontation during an attempted robbery in central Barcelona.
The incidents that prompted this call include the fatal stabbing of a Chinese citizen in Esplugues de Llobregat, a municipality in the Barcelona metropolitan area, by a man who also attempted to attack other people on the street. Additionally, a minor killed a man who had tried to rob him in central Barcelona. Junts has accused the Salvador Illa government of a "lack of control" regarding security in recent hours.
Salvador Vergés, the party's spokesperson in the Parliament, revealed this information during a press conference. He explained that Junts sent a letter to Minister Parlon requesting the meeting, which should include Mossos d'Esquadra commanders and any other officials she deems appropriate, according to Junts per Catalunya official website. Vergés stated that a communication channel, previously used for important issues like weather alerts, has broken down.
Junts believes that public security concerns also fall under the category of relevant issues requiring direct communication with the executive. While Minister Parlon has denied any increase in insecurity, asserting that data supports her position, Vergés refuted this. He stressed that in security matters, both data and the "social perception of citizens and public alarm" hold equal importance.
Calls for More Police Presence
Junts has specifically called for more Mossos d'Esquadra agents to patrol the streets. The party demands these officers receive all necessary resources to operate as "the police force of any state or nation." They also want the Mossos to exercise immigration competencies at the borders. Vergés urged the government to increase the police force's size with more officers if required.
He concluded, "The Government does not need to put Mossos in schools, but on the streets." Junts is open to including other parliamentary groups in the requested meeting with Minister Parlon. Meanwhile, Juan Fernández, representing the Popular Party (PP), has demanded that the Illa executive prioritise Mossos d'Esquadra agents for citizen security. He also called for new police recruits to fully reinforce street policing.
Vox, another opposition party, has requested a special plenary session to discuss the "deterioration" of security and "demographic changes" in Catalonia. These demands highlight a broad political consensus among opposition parties regarding the need for increased police presence and a stronger focus on public safety.
Government Defends Security Strategy
In response to these criticisms, the Catalan government maintains that "Catalonia is a safe country." Consellera Spokesperson Paneque stated on Tuesday that "actions are yielding results" because "indicators are evolving positively." She explained that the government launched Plan Daga in September 2024, weeks after forming the government, to reduce bladed weapons in public spaces.
Paneque detailed that a year and a half later, the presence of these weapons has decreased. She reported that incidents involving bladed weapons averaged 380 in 2025, but now average 260. "There is room for improvement, but we are on the right track," she insisted, adding that "today Catalonia is a safer country than a year ago." The government's security roadmap includes increasing the Mossos d'Esquadra force to 25,000 agents by 2030.
This plan also involves creating 200 new judicial units to combat repeat offenders and implementing shock plans like Plan Daga. The government believes these measures are successfully reducing crime figures across Catalonia. This reduction occurs regardless of any public perception of insecurity among citizens.
Coalition Partners' Views
The government's coalition partners, Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) and Comuns, agree on the "concern" over recent events. However, they do not believe a presidential appearance is necessary. They call for "rigour and data" to rule out a security crisis. Ester Capella, spokesperson for ERC, argued that security "also involves the immediate response of the courts."
Both ERC and Comuns advocate for the Mossos to "be where they need to be and not in schools." ERC specifically pointed out that police presence has a "deterrent effect." They also noted the need to "intensify" police efforts in certain areas of the country. Jéssica Albiach of Comuns stressed the importance of "not generating a climate of alarmism as if we lived in the Wild West."
Paneque has accepted the possibility of holding a parliamentary debate with the groups on this matter. She also agreed that government members responsible for security could appear in the Catalan Parliament. "We are always willing to appear in the Parliament and provide explanations. We will address it as has been done until now," she promised, indicating ongoing dialogue on this critical issue.
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Originally published by La Vanguardia Catalonia. Read original article.
