Just like today, four years ago, 24 hours before the elections, two names grabbed the stakes: Ernest Maragall (ERC) and Ada Colau (BCom̼). The former won the election. The second won the mayorship. Today, a few hours before the election date, few dare Рwith the exception of interested and dedicated circles Рto get wet. The unprecedented three-way tie (Colau-Trias-Collboni) in the polls and the previous and potential alliances draw a tight result and in the hands of an undecided majority that corroborates the distance and lack of interest between citizens and politicians.
Last night, Barcelona closed the campaign with magnificence. The presence of Pedro Sánchez and Yolanda DÃaz to give the final push to Jaume Collboni and Ada Colau – until the day before yesterday partners in government and, during the campaign, preferred opponents – has a political reading that transcends the city. What happens on Sunday in Barcelona will have consequences for the future of the left in the next general elections, which will be held six months from now. And these elections, in turn, can condition the necessary municipal pacts.
The irruption of Xavier Trias in the electoral race in December encouraged citizens impatient for a change in the big house. Dissatisfied Barcelona, ​​which demands more security, more cleanliness, fewer supervillas and more economic progress, applauded the decision of the convergent ex-mayor, who has hidden as much as possible the Junts brand during the campaign. The party has deployed the leaders all over Catalonia – the central event, in Vic -, except for Barcelona, ​​and Trias and his team closed yesterday at the Jardinets de Grà cia.
In this first round focused on Trias or Colau, Jaume Collboni has been the most interested in putting Junts’ pro-independence postulates on the table. The Socialists have spared no resources to mobilize voters in a campaign that they have proposed as crucial, in Barcelona, ​​strategically in points of the metropolitan area and in Tarragona, where Pedro Sánchez also visited yesterday. In the capital of the south, the socialist mayor, Rubén Viñuales – four years ago the mayor of Ciutadans – is in the best position in the polls, ahead of Pau Ricomà (ERC), the current mayor.
With the entry of Xavier Trias, the polls relegated Ernest Maragall to fourth position, while consolidating the technical tie at three. During the campaign, which has developed according to the script and without major shocks – the attempt by the right-wing parties to impose unemployment on the electoral agenda did not go further -, the mayors have been more careful not to make a mistake -se and to mobilize the electorate than to ring the bell.
Ada Colau last night again had the support of Yolanda DÃaz. The mayoress, who has thoroughly played the campaign on social networks, has defended her city model by all means with the claim of a left-wing government (with her at the head) and with the distribution of merits, despite Collboni’s attempts to dissociate himself from the work of government of which he was a part until January. Tomorrow’s results will indicate whether the fact of leaving – and not that of the rest of the socialist councilors – was a good strategic decision or if it will take its toll.
Less than 24 hours before the election, few dare to bet out loud. A few thousand votes can determine a crucial first position – determining for the multiple possible pacts – and a high or low turnout will favor or prevent the entry of PP, Ciutadans, Valents, Vox or the CUP in the Consistory. And while some are exploring crossings and planning alliances, thousands of citizens again suffered a breakdown in Rodalies yesterday. This is how the campaign began and how it ends.
