The city council puts an end to the celebration of ‘unseemly’ bachelor parties, in which clothing is scarce and where sexual accessories are displayed, parties that “have become fashionable” in the city and that tarnish the image of Sevilla. From now on, and after the full approval of article 12 of the Ordinance of Measures Ordinance of Measures for the Promotion and Guarantee of Citizen Coexistence in Public Spaces of Seville, those who engage in these behaviors may be fined by the Local Police with up to 750 euros.
The new text, which will punish those who “travel or remain on public roads or public spaces without clothing or only in underwear; with clothing or accessories that represent the genitals of the human being or with dolls or elements of a sexual nature”, has moved forward thanks to the votes in favor of the PP and Vox, since the opposition considers that it threatens freedom of expression.
For his part, the mayor, José Luis Sanz, has insisted that today he fulfilled one of the promises he made before holding the baton, when he committed to the city to regulate this type of events, which “filled the city most important historical event in Spain with behaviors and conduct that we do not want to continue to be associated with Seville,” he stated.
It is not the first city to adopt similar measures. Málaga was one of the first Andalusian capitals that intervened to limit some behaviors of those attending this type of party that could make other citizens uncomfortable. The modification of the ordinances was not without controversy, as this new norm seems to be headed in Seville. In fact, already today in the Seville plenary session there have been exchanges of accusations between the different parties: on the one hand, the right, which defends that this type of tourism “is not of interest to the city”, while the left considers that it is wanted “win an ideological battle.”
The PSOE and the confluence with Podemos-IU have rejected this modification, considering that it has an “ambiguous wording” and an “open” interpretation, while at the same time administrative infractions are established for “something that is not a crime” in the Penal Code. “I am concerned about this setback of 40 years,” said socialist councilor Juan Carlos Cabrera about the fact that the new articles try to define “what is ordinary or what is not; what is obscene or what is not.”
“What is underwear? Can they fine someone for wearing shorts?” asked IU councilor Ismael Sánchez. The councilor defended that the municipal government “wants to win an ideological battle” every time it has accused the Executive of “not believing in freedom of expression or satire.”
The Security delegate, Ignacio Flores, has defended the text, insisting on the inconvenience caused by this type of party. “They are a disdain for the city and we must bring order”, while Vox, which has given its approval to the text, insisted that, despite the fact that “it is not the perfect solution”, the alternative cannot be “not doing nothing” like “the PSOE has done in the last eight years.”
Bachelor parties fill the city center with tourism “that is not interesting,” said the Sevillian mayor, who is committed to higher quality tourism compatible with the projection that the council wants to make of the city. “We cannot allow the image of Seville to be called into question by these celebrations that disturb the normal coexistence between neighbors and visitors in our city.”
“We are aware of the importance that the tourism sector represents, but we also aspire for the tourism that comes to be of quality and we understand that this type of tourism did not contribute anything,” he added, ensuring that “we want to guarantee the best possible coexistence between tourists and Sevillians,” the first mayor stated.
