The electoral campaign fired its last shots right in the centre, with Nicola Barbera and David Bongiovanni taking turns on the stage in Piazza San Sebastiano and Melangela Scolaro launching her appeal to citizens from the square in front of Parco Maggiore La Rosa. Between tomorrow and Monday the people of Barcelona will choose their new mayor. The city has gathered a legacy of hopes, emotions and renewed confidence. Barcelona is floundering in difficulties, often chronic, unresolved or even worsening over time: economic collapse of the Authority, crisis in trade, flight of young people, lack of some essential services especially in the suburbs, difficulties of the municipal organizational machine, urban decoration and redevelopment of the coast are just some of the themes on which the candidates have based their programme. Precisely on the beaches and the sea, the three candidates have shown great sensitivity, deeming not only necessary the reconstruction of the Spinesante promenade, but also supporting entrepreneurial initiatives that can guarantee new wealth to the struggling economic fabric of Barcelona. The heavy burden of taxes is particularly felt in the community.
Nicola Barbera, candidate of the centre-right coalition, intends to proceed with the recovery of the municipal budget by improving the collection of taxes, activating scrapping and installment payments to allow citizens to regularize their positions and reduce tax evasion. At the same time, Barbera wishes to support those who produce the economy, promoting benefits for those who make the city attractive and create jobs. In this sense, a widespread reorganization of the administrative machinery is essential, which includes – claims Barbera – the strengthening of the technical offices and new internal bodies, such as an office responsible for collecting national and European funds. At the same time, the modernization and recovery of sports facilities. According to the centre-right candidate, a municipal administration must guarantee a constant presence in the neighborhoods and the creation of a “voluntary neighborhood consultation”, which must ensure a constant water supply and a clear improvement in connections. The tug of war established will continue – Barbera recalls – with those who abandon waste in the street, making use of tighter controls thanks to the video surveillance cameras installed in the city.
David Bongiovanni, candidate of the centre-left, in the event of election will project his first actions on rebalancing the municipal budget, through an energetic cut in superfluous expenses and the consolidation of revenues. Ample space for the restoration of essential services in the neighborhoods and suburbs. A direct line between the municipal institution and citizens will be a priority, also with a view to an economic relaunch of the city that re-evaluates the agricultural sector. The latter will have to leverage the recovery of the fruit and vegetable market and the farmer’s market. A theme dear to the candidate supported by Pd, M5S and Città Aperta is the transformation of the historic center into a natural commercial centre, in the name of decorum, accessibility and liveliness, experimenting with new pedestrian areas. Bongiovanni intends to reactivate the municipal youth council to give space and voice to the requests of young people, who must be offered job and aggregation opportunities to avoid their exodus towards other shores. Bongiovanni offers a desk dedicated to startups and coworking spaces obtained from unused municipal properties to retain young people by attracting skills to the city and making it convenient to do business.
The candidate from the South calls North, Melangela Scolaro is focusing strongly on the renewal of the face of Barcelona, which in her opinion needs to be rediscovered as beautiful and attractive by virtue of its artistic and landscape heritage. Water, electricity, roads, urban cleanliness will be the first critical issues to be addressed. Scolaro carried out two tours of the neighbourhoods, becoming aware of the residents’ shortcomings and inconveniences regarding connections to the centre, water shortages and urban decay. The candidate of Cateno De Luca’s party has identified young people and the revaluation of traditions as two of the prerequisites for the city to get back on its feet: enhancing cultural heritage and promoting sport are just some examples of her projects, which are also linked to the recovery of the municipal budget and greater efficiency and transparency of institutional services. Scolaro indicated his first measure, if he becomes mayor, in the recognition of all pending proceedings, tenders, projects and works in progress. All his administrative action will focus on a basic principle: the role of mayor must be carried out full time at the service of the community.
The councilors designated by Barbera are Gabriella Caccamo, Vanessa Christine Isgrò, Ferdinando Ofria and Gianluca Sidoti (also designated deputy mayor). Domenica Camarda, Vera Giorgianni, Antonio Mamì and Gianluca Pantano are the councilors designated by Bongiovanni. Scolaro indicated Tindaro Di Pasquale, Paolo Pino, Giuseppe Sottile and Ilenia Torre (also designated deputy mayor) as the members of his team.