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Jaume Collboni: “We have to expand the Barcelona airport, we are risking the city model”

2022-08-08T16:07:59.901Z


The first deputy mayor assures that there will be Christmas lights in Barcelona and that he has "the obligation to reach the end of the mandate without more conflicts than are essential"


On an August afternoon, one of those in which the heat leaves you stunned, Jaume Collboni (Barcelona, ​​52 years old) is clearer than ever, despite all the rumours, that he will be the PSC candidate for mayor of Barcelona.

Meanwhile, he is dedicated to governing in coalition with Ada Colau.

QUESTION.

Do you agree with the reduction of terrace hours by your government?

ANSWER

.

If the government does it, how can I not agree?

It is a surgical action on 1% of the terraces in the areas most stressed by noise.

It was necessary to increase the demand for restorers in streets such as Enric Granados or in George Orwell's square.

Q.

In Barcelona, ​​it prohibits more and more.

Now the pedicabs or smoking on the beach.

Is it a way of governing?

R.

That a city enforces its rules is a sign of normality and civilization.

We have faced a way out of the pandemic that has meant an intense use of public space.

With civility we have to get serious.

P.

In the months that remain until the elections, is Collboni going to distance himself from Colau?

How is the electorate going to understand that they have been partners but you aspire to be mayor without her?

A.

It is simple.

I have always made decisions without having the electoral calculator on the table, but in coherence with my program and what I think is best for Barcelona.

I'm going to keep doing it.

P.

Have you had to swallow many frogs governing with Colau?

R. In life you have to swallow many frogs.

We are in a coalition between two parties that, although they belong to the same progressive political family, have different approaches.

The differences are noticeable, we express them many times, but we do not block governability as happens in the Generalitat.

P.

Who will win the battle of Barcelona?

What agreements will be necessary?

R.

We are convinced that we are going to win these elections.

We know that the

procés

cycle and the 15M cycle are exhausted.

P.

And would you agree with Colau again if that makes you mayor?

R.

When one appears in elections it is to win them and govern alone.

This is a center-left progressive city and if coalitions have to be formed after the elections, it is logical that this majority is articulated with progressive forces.

Q.

You lost the expansion of the airport and the Hermitage.

R.

Who loses is Barcelona, ​​not Jaume Collboni or the PSC.

We missed a great opportunity and I think we will win the next one when there is a new opportunity to expand the airport.

Behind the airport we play a city model.

If we want Barcelona to be in the league of the 50 metropolises in the world that generate more prosperity and more knowledge, we need the enlargement.

P.

You govern with people who have a different model than the one you defend.

R.

_

They do not finish explaining what their alternative model is.

I insist, who loses an opportunity is Barcelona.

P.

In the first term, the coalition was blown up by the

procés.

In this second term, have you been in danger?

R.

No, the impact of the

procés

and also of 15 M are the history of the politics of this country.

The Barcelona coalition that prevented there from being a pro-independence mayor, among other things, helped us get through the

procés stage more quickly.

Q.

You had a lot to do with Valls' votes.

R.

Yes, they were decisive for Colau to be mayor and for there to be this coalition.

P.

Valls is no longer.

Was it just an instrument?

R.

No. Valls supported a coalition that was not pro-independence and it was possible at that time.

Q.

Do Colau and Collboni have a good relationship?

R.

Yes. It is important to get along with who you work with.

I try to be happy in my work.

I think that being mayor of Barcelona is the best job in the world and it makes me very excited.

I feel excited, with energy and with experience.

P.

It must be frustrating that everyone continually questions you about your candidacy

R.

That happens a lot in democracy and is resolved with primaries.

I am going to present myself to some primaries, but my prognosis is that there will not be any.

P.

Your party has changed candidates at the last minute.

As in the case of Miquel Iceta and Salvador Illa.

A.

Yes, but here the candidate who is going to run in the primaries, which I hope to win, is not going to be involved in any such operation.

I am going to present myself in these elections and I intend to win.

Q.

But are you considering a primary with Miquel Iceta or Maria Eugènia Gay?

A.

I am considering a primaries if there is another candidate, whoever he is.

P.

What is the worst thing Colau has done in this mandate?

R.

I have the obligation to reach the end of the mandate without more conflicts than are essential.

I am going to try to finish our task of government in an agreed manner, knowing that there are differences and not making value judgments until the time comes to present our alternative.

We have said that we were going to govern until the last minute.

P.

Will the expansion of the airport be reactivated?

R.

We are going to reactivate it and we are going to defend it with a rigorous debate.

P.

Within the dialogue table between the Government and the Government?

R.

No. The Generalitat has to deal with it.

P.

The negotiation in Spain of ERC with the government of Pedro Sánchez, will it condition your agreements in the City Council?

A.

No.

P.

Remember what happened to Ernest Maragall.

A.

Barcelona is not going to be a bargaining chip for anything or anyone.

It has its own logic.

I will defend the autonomy of our project.

I have never had any pressure.

Q.

I could receive calls.

R.

I insist that the autonomy of the Barcelona project is guaranteed.

It is true that Mr. Ernest Maragall did something remarkable like defending the political autonomy of the city and two weeks later he changed his position because he was ordered to do so by the person in charge of the ERC, who is Mr. Aragonès.

That will not happen in Barcelona.

DVD 1118 08/04/22 In the picture.

collboni during the interview. Jaume Collboni, first deputy mayor of the Barcelona City Council.

Barcelona, ​​August 4, 2022 [ALBERT GARCIA]Albert Garcia

Q.

Is Barcelona dirtier?

A.

No. There is no way to objectify.

It is true that many people have the perception that the city is messy... and that it is not as well cared for as it should be.

P.

And that, despite the injection of 70 million euros.

R.

The contract had to have been renewed more than two years ago.

We have extended the life of a contract and machinery during the years of the pandemic.

That, the service has accused him.

We have to apologize to the people who believe that the city is not as well cared for as it should be.

Q.

Will there be Christmas lights?

A.

Of course.

What is a Christmas without lights?

P.

You returned to claim the Winter Games on the anniversary of the Olympic Games in Barcelona 92.

R.

When I am mayor I will work so that Barcelona continues to opt to host the Olympic Games.

It is still early but Barcelona does not have to give up the Olympic dream.

Q.

In winter?

A.

Olympic Games

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Source: elparis

All news articles on 2022-08-08

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