The former mayor of Barcelona and leader of the Comuns, Ada Colau, a few months ago at a Sumar event.VICTOR LERENA (EFE)
The former mayor of Barcelona and leader of the Comuns, Ada Colau, explained this Monday her reasons for leaving the Barcelona City Council after eight years leading the municipal government and one in the opposition. Colau stated during an interview on TV3 that her time in institutional politics is over (leaving the door open to returning), she noted that “she has suffered significant personal wear and tear” and argued that “it is good to take a step back and refresh oneself with new ideas” after eight years as mayor. “There is another factor and it is that I am a very well-known person internationally, due to the experience of what we have done in Barcelona and my previous career and I have been invited to many places,” she said. Colau said that in recent weeks she has been in France and Italy and will soon make various trips. To Mexico, to New York to give a conference on the policies promoted by the Comuns in Barcelona, or to Italy.
Colau has advocated for a reflection by the left after the poor results obtained at all levels: municipal, autonomous, state and even in Latin America. “We have made useful policies, but it is not enough in a general system that every day generates more inequality, unrest, anti-politics and a distance from the citizens.” “The left has the duty to reflect and update our analysis of reality, narrative and proposals. It cannot be that now the right is the one who challenges the system and says that it defends freedom, we must update what freedom means and make a policy of desire, excitement and transformation that can improve the living conditions of the population.”
In this stage “outside the institution” the former mayor has announced her intention to create a “municipalist international” that values and connects experiences “from below at a time when the extreme right is taking much better advantage” to “improve future proposals”.
Letter to the militancy
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At the City Hall, she will be replaced by the current spokesperson for the municipal group, Janet Sanz, and the councillor Gemma Tarafa, who has recently been the one coordinating the group and negotiating on behalf of the comuns. In a letter to the members, Colau confirmed on Sunday her intention to leave the council. She has set a date for the end of October and revealed that she will not be present at the November assembly to continue coordinating Catalunya en comú with Jessica Albiach and Candela López. “I do want to be more closely linked to the Foundation of the space [la fundación Sentit Comú] and I will discuss this with the board of trustees in the coming days,” he said in the letter that the members received by mail. Barcelona en Comú does not plan to hold a congress until next year.
At the municipal level, Colau has reproached Mayor Jaume Collboni for not having opted for a broad left-wing government alliance with ERC and the Comuns. And she has defended that when she was mayor she accepted that Barcelona would host the America’s Cup with three conditions: that the city would not contribute more than the Mobile World Congress (five million euros annually), that there would be no investment in infrastructure and that there would be a social return. “I do not regret having accepted with the conditions that we imposed, but I do regret what it has led to.” And at the parliamentary level, she has explained that the Comuns will vote on President Salvador Illa’s Budget “the commitments reached will be materialised.”
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The Former Mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau: A New Chapter
Ada Colau, the former mayor of Barcelona and leader of the Comuns, has announced her decision to leave the Barcelona City Council after eight years of leading the municipal government and one year in opposition. In a recent interview on TV3, Colau explained her reasons for leaving, citing significant personal wear and tear and the need to refresh herself with new ideas [[3]].
Colau, who has been a prominent figure in Barcelona’s politics, has been the mayor of the city since 2015, making her the first female mayor of Barcelona. During her tenure, she has been known for her social policies and her commitment to improving the living conditions of the population. However, she has faced criticism from the right and the pro-car lobby, who have accused her of being too left-wing and anti-car [[3]].
In her interview, Colau stated that she will not continue as coordinator of the Barcelona en Comú group, and has set a date for the end of October to leave the council. She will be replaced by Janet Sanz, the current spokesperson for the municipal group, and Gemma Tarafa, who has been coordinating the group and negotiating on behalf of the Comuns [[1]].
Colau has also announced her intention to create a “municipalist international” that values and connects experiences “from below” at a time when the extreme right is taking advantage of the situation. This move aims to improve future proposals and promote a more equitable and just society [[1]].
In addition to her work in Barcelona, Colau has been invited to speak at various international events, including a conference in New York on the policies promoted by the Comuns in Barcelona. She has also been to France and Italy, and plans to visit Mexico in the coming weeks [[1]].
Colau’s decision to leave the council has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising her commitment to social justice and others criticizing her for abandoning her post. However, Colau remains committed to her ideals and is determined to continue fighting for a more just and equitable society.
A Reflection on the Left
In her interview, Colau also advocated for a reflection by the left after the poor results obtained at all levels: municipal, autonomous, state, and even in Latin America. She argued that the left needs to update its analysis of reality, narrative, and proposals to challenge the system and promote freedom and equality [[1]].
Colau’s call for reflection is timely, given the current state of politics in Barcelona and beyond. The left has been struggling to make gains in recent years, and Colau’s comments highlight the need for a re-evaluation of strategies and approaches.
A New Chapter
As Colau begins a new chapter in her life, she will be remembered as a pioneering figure in Barcelona’s politics. Her commitment to social justice and her tireless work on behalf of the people of Barcelona have earned her a reputation as a true champion of the left.
While her decision to leave the council may come as a surprise to some, Colau remains committed to her ideals and is determined to continue fighting for a more just and equitable society. Her legacy will continue to inspire and motivate those who share her vision of a better world.
References:
The Former Mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau: A New Chapter
Ada Colau, the former mayor of Barcelona and leader of the Comuns, has embarked on a new chapter in her life, leaving behind her eight-year tenure as the mayor of the city. In a recent interview, Colau explained her reasons for stepping down from her position, citing significant personal wear and tear and the need to refresh herself with new ideas [[3]]. She has also spoken about her plans to create a “municipalist international” that values and connects experiences “from below” to improve future proposals [[1]].
A Reflection on the Left
Colau has advocated for a reflection by the left after the poor results obtained at all levels: municipal, autonomous, state, and even in Latin America[[[2]]. She believes that the left has the duty to reflect and update their analysis of reality, narrative, and proposals. In her words, “We have made useful policies, but it is not enough in a general system that every day generates more inequality, unrest, anti-politics, and a distance from the citizens.”[[[2]]
A New Chapter: Leaving the Barcelona City Council
Colau has announced her intention to leave the Barcelona City Council, effective at the end of October [[3]]. She will be replaced by Janet Sanz, the current spokesperson for the municipal group, and Gemma Tarafa, the councillor who has been coordinating the group and negotiating on behalf of the Comuns. In a letter to the members, Colau confirmed her intention to leave the council and revealed that she will not be present at the November assembly to continue coordinating Catalunya en comú with Jessica Albiach and Candela López [[3]].
International Invitations and Trips
Colau has been invited to many places due to her experience and previous career, including France, Italy, Mexico, and New York, where she will give a conference on the policies promoted by the Comuns in Barcelona[[[2]]. She believes that her international recognition will allow her to spread her ideas and experiences to a broader audience.
A Municipal International
Colau’s vision for a “municipalist international” aims to connect and value experiences from below, promoting a more inclusive and participatory approach to governance [[1]]. She believes that this international network will help to improve future proposals and promote a more equal and just society.
Conclusion
Ada Colau’s decision to leave the Barcelona City Council marks a new chapter in her life and politics. Her advocacy for a reflection by the left and her plans to create a “municipalist international” demonstrate her commitment to promoting a more equal and just society. As she embarks on this new journey, Colau’s experiences and ideas will continue to inspire and influence politics and governance at the local and international levels.
People Also Ask (PAA) Related Question:
Q: What is Ada Colau’s next step after leaving the Barcelona City Council?
A: Ada Colau plans to create a “municipalist international” that values and connects experiences “from below” to improve future proposals.
References:
[1] Amazon, Ada Colau, la città in comune: Da occupante di case a …
[2] Edizioni Algre, Ada Colau, la città in comune
[3] Il Manifesto, Ada Colau viene in Italia e lascia la politica. Per ora
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