He knows what it is to be mayor, he was between August 2018 and June 2019, what it is to lose a mayoralty and recover it after four years of opposition. Fèlix Larrosa will govern Lleida in a minority, trusting that the variable geometry will give consensus. The PSC has 9 of the 27 councillors.
The day you were elected mayor, the popular Xavi Palau, who will be head of the opposition, proposed that you collaborate and isolate yourself “from the noise of the general elections.” Can?
Now yes. I think we’re all going to do it. I have noticed a willingness to agree with a general character of all the formations and I have made myself available to all. I’m acting like I have to. I do not want to say that it is more generous than they have been with me or that it is not. I also ask for compensation. That variable geometry is executive or highly efficient in some cases. I would like to reach big agreements.
In 2019, in opposition, he proposed a city pact for future urban planning. Do you keep it?
I reiterate it. I will propose it at the turn of the summer. We cannot govern ourselves with norms from the last century.
What role do the Socialists of Lleida have to play in a post-electoral lace in which the PSC has gained weight in ballot boxes and offices?
A space for consensus, with serenity and generosity. We have to rebuild bridges with a part of our society. We must help align resources and efforts so that the capital and its territory can advance.
For example?
These days I have sadly experienced statements about high-speed trains between Madrid and France. Before being a party member, which I am, I am the mayor of Lleida and to compete in the world, you have to have good communications. I do not conceive that high-speed trains do not stop in Lleida and do in other Catalan capitals. It is an issue that I want to solve immediately. I have asked the president of Renfe, the president of Adif and the regional councilor for Territories for an appointment.
What worries you the most?
Cleanliness, incivility, mobility, conservation of public spaces. I was very upset when I saw how the city was on Saturday morning (Sant Joan), with remains of bottles and firecrackers. I don’t conceive of throwing firecrackers and being unable to throw the box in the bin. We will promote the intensive cleaning shock plan and the Department of Security and Coexistence has the mission of reviewing the civic ordinance. In the same way that we want to suggest, teach and advance this commitment to the pact for civility, we want to be more forceful with those who do not comply with the rules.
He has not mentioned the construction of the bus station or the temporary shelter, marks of the previous government.
When I see the Minister of Territories, we are going to see legally at what point the station project is. She worries me that there is a pending investment that cannot be made because the space is not available. I need to know what the Ministry intends to do; if this leads us to a situation of collision and conflict, and to perpetuate an investment.
Has the rush of the ministry at the beginning of June to propose the construction have been diluted?
Yes. Another concern is the Museu Morera, a project from five years ago with various contributions. I am concerned about European funds.
And about the temporary shelter with the help of the Government?
I have a meeting with Minister Carles Campuzano, to whom I have had a special relationship for many years. We are going to propose alternatives.
What do you expect from the drought table that you have convened?
I have called it because it is not a closed debate and because the mayor of Lleida has no information. And he has to have it because the municipal area is very large, 20,000 hectares, and it survives thanks to contributions from the Pinyana canal, the Urgell canal and the Aragón and Catalunya canal. And I want to know what the situation is and what are the recommendations that the sector makes me. A working group will leave. We are going to make decisions that may affect the city’s management model. They may affect, for example, the use that can be made of the water that right now passes through the treatment plant.
It is irrigated with drinking water.
We are working with the concessionaire to see if we can use the treated water for irrigation.
On Saturday, the sprinklers from the Segre river channel irrigated for more than 12 hours straight.
Unacceptable. This is also an issue that we have to work on. You can’t consent, you can’t consent to watering while it’s raining.
