Opposition Move Ahead of La Mercè Festivities
The Junts per Barcelona municipal group will push for a censure motion against Mayor Jaume Collboni during the September plenary session on Friday 25 September 2026, which coincides with Barcelona’s La Mercè festival celebrations. The motion, announced by Junts president and mayoral candidate Jordi Martí Galbis on Tuesday 22 September, targets what the party describes as the city government’s failure to address worsening coexistence and security problems in the Sant Antoni neighbourhood. Martí accused the executive of "appalling management" and said residents, businesses, and local entities have reached their limit due to inaction. He stated that Junts has sought answers at all levels of government for over a year without receiving a response from the mayor’s office.
'We Say Enough,' Says Junts Leader
"We say enough. We say enough to inaction, to the lack of management, to the mayor's detachment from the very negative reality experienced in the neighbourhood," Martí declared, framing the censure bid as an urgent call for accountability. According to reporting by beteve and Tot Barcelona, Junts argues that the situation in Sant Antoni has become unsustainable, marked by rising concerns over public order and urban decay. The party insists the full Municipal Plenary must issue a formal rebuke unless the mayor commits to immediate corrective action.
What we cannot do is let more time pass without the government reacting forcefully.
The outcome of the motion will depend on whether other opposition groups, including ERC and potentially independents, choose to support it. As of 22 September, no public commitment from these parties had been confirmed.
Political Context and Timing
The censure attempt comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 municipal elections. Martí, who is already positioning himself as Junts’ leading candidate, used the announcement to criticise Collboni’s hands-off approach to district-level governance. While the motion is symbolic and does not carry legal force to remove the mayor, it serves as a formal expression of disapproval under municipal procedure. Similar motions have been used in past years to signal political pressure. The plenary session will take place amid the bustling La Mercè festivities, which may affect attendance and public attention. However, Junts maintains that the timing underscores the contrast between the city’s celebratory image and the daily challenges faced by residents in areas like Sant Antoni.
Reported by beteve.cat, Tot Barcelona, betevé.
