THE ROAD TO THE 2027 BARCELONA ELECTION
Barcelona is approaching its next municipal election, scheduled for 23 May 2027. The campaign is expected to be dominated by questions about what kind of city Barcelona should become and how its limited space and resources should be managed.
The current mayor, Jaume Collboni of the PSC, is expected to seek another term. Other major candidates include Jordi Martí Galbis of Junts, Elisenda Alamany of ERC, Gerardo Pisarello of Barcelona en Comú, Daniel Sirera of the PP and Jordi Aragonès of Aliança Catalana. Vox had not yet finalised its candidate in the latest reports.
One of the most pressing issues is housing. Barcelona has experienced intense pressure on the housing market, while access to affordable accommodation has become a major concern for many residents. Candidates disagree about how much the government should intervene in the market, whether more regulation is necessary and how much new housing should be built.
Tourism is another contentious issue. Barcelona benefits economically from millions of visitors, but tourism also places pressure on neighbourhoods, public spaces, transport and housing. Collboni has supported greater taxation of certain forms of tourism and has discussed reducing the impact of cruise tourism. ERC has also called for stronger control of tourism and greater financial compensation for residents.
Barcelona en Comú, represented by Gerardo Pisarello, has placed housing and the effects of tourism near the centre of its political agenda. The party has proposed directing money currently allocated to tourism promotion towards housing and has called for measures against speculative property purchases.
Junts, represented by Jordi Martí Galbis, has argued that Barcelona needs different approaches to housing and tourism. Martí has criticised previous housing policies while arguing that tourism should be managed in a way that generates resources for the city while reducing problems of coexistence.
The PP, represented by Daniel Sirera, has emphasised public safety, housing and local commerce. Sirera has proposed increasing the number of Guardia Urbana officers, improving security measures and changing existing housing regulations. He has also argued in favour of maintaining Barcelona's international tourism sector while opposing some restrictions on tourist accommodation.
ERC, represented by Elisenda Alamany, has focused heavily on housing, tourism, neighbourhood life and Barcelona's identity. Among her proposals are stronger regulation of tourist activity and measures intended to help residents remain in the city. ERC has also supported policies addressing extreme heat and urban climate adaptation.
Aliança Catalana, represented by Jordi Aragonès, is a new entrant to Barcelona's municipal political landscape. The party has identified housing and security as major priorities and has also placed immigration and Catalan identity prominently in its political discourse.
Another important issue is mobility. Barcelona must deal with congestion, public transport, cycling infrastructure, pedestrian areas and connections between the city and the wider metropolitan region. The city is currently preparing long-term studies looking at mobility and infrastructure needs up to 2050.
The election will therefore involve more than simply choosing between individual candidates. Voters will also be deciding what balance they want between economic activity and regulation, tourism and residents, private property and public intervention, security and civil liberties, and urban development and environmental protection.
Barcelona's next mayor will face the challenge of reconciling these competing interests in a city that is simultaneously a home, a business centre, a tourist destination and an international cultural capital.
2. VOCABULARY MATCH — PART 1
Match the words 1–8 with the correct meanings A–H.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. pressing | A. strongly debated because people have very different opinions |
| 2. contentious | B. the ability to bring different interests together |
| 3. accommodation | C. connected with a particular area or community |
| 4. intervention | D. needing immediate attention or action |
| 5. coexistence | E. places where people live, especially when referring to housing |
| 6. metropolitan | F. involvement by an authority in a situation or market |
| 7. reconcile | G. the situation in which different groups live together |
| 8. residents | H. people who live permanently in a particular place |
3. VOCABULARY MATCH — PART 2
Match the words 1–8 with the correct meanings A–H.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. regulation | A. the process of making an area or activity more environmentally suitable |
| 2. speculative | B. a person or organisation that competes in an election |
| 3. congestion | C. rules created by an authority to control an activity |
| 4. incumbent | D. involving risk or uncertainty in the hope of making money |
| 5. candidate | E. the elected political group responsible for running a local authority |
| 6. adaptation | F. a large number of vehicles occupying roads at the same time |
| 7. governing majority | G. currently holding a particular political position |
| 8. taxation | H. the system of collecting money from individuals or businesses to fund public services |
4. SYNONYM MATCH
Match the words.
| Word | Synonym |
|---|---|
| 1. pressing | a. controversial |
| 2. contentious | b. permanent |
| 3. reconcile | c. urgent |
| 4. residents | d. inhabitants |
| 5. regulation | e. adjustment |
| 6. adaptation | f. taxation |
| 7. taxation | g. control |
| 8. incumbent | h. harmonise |
5. THE CANDIDATES
Discuss the candidates currently preparing for the 2027 election.
A — Jaume Collboni — PSC
Current mayor of Barcelona. His political agenda has included housing construction, tourism management, mobility and international economic activity.
B — Jordi Martí Galbis — Junts
Junts' candidate. His political approach has emphasised public safety, a different approach to housing policy and tourism that contributes economically while creating fewer problems for residents.
C — Elisenda Alamany — ERC
ERC's candidate. Her priorities include housing, tourism management, neighbourhood commerce, Catalan identity and climate adaptation.
D — Gerardo Pisarello — Barcelona en Comú
Former first deputy mayor under Ada Colau. His campaign has focused particularly on housing affordability, opposition to speculation and stronger regulation of tourism.
E — Daniel Sirera — PP
PP candidate. His priorities include public safety, housing supply, lower taxation, local commerce and maintaining Barcelona's international economic role.
F — Jordi Aragonès — Aliança Catalana
Candidate for Aliança Catalana. His campaign has highlighted housing, security, immigration and Catalan identity.
Discuss:
Which issues appear repeatedly across different parties?
Which issues divide the candidates?
Why might different voters prioritise different issues?
Which issues are mainly local?
Which issues require cooperation with the Catalan or Spanish governments?
6. THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING BARCELONA
Choose ONE.
A — Housing affordability
B — Tourism and overcrowding
C — Public safety
D — Immigration
E — Traffic and mobility
F — Climate change and heat
G — Local businesses
H — Public services
Discuss:
Why is this issue important?
Who is most affected?
What are its main causes?
What can the Barcelona government actually control?
What would be difficult to change?
What policy would you introduce?
7. ROLE PLAY — ELECTION DEBATE
Four people are participating in a televised debate.
A — Candidate for PSC
Defend your record in government and explain your plans for the next four years.
B — Candidate for ERC
Argue that Barcelona needs stronger policies to protect residents and neighbourhood life.
C — Candidate for PP
Focus on security, housing supply, taxation and local commerce.
D — Candidate for Barcelona en Comú
Focus on housing affordability, regulation and the social impact of tourism.
The moderator asks:
What is Barcelona's biggest problem?
What would you change immediately?
How would you deal with rising housing costs?
How would you manage tourism?
How would you improve public safety?
How would you pay for your proposals?
8. YOU ARE THE MAYOR
You have just been elected mayor of Barcelona.
You have a limited budget and can introduce only three major policies during your first year.
Choose THREE:
A. Build more public housing
B. Increase police presence
C. Restrict tourist accommodation
D. Invest heavily in public transport
E. Reduce taxes for local businesses
F. Increase taxes on certain tourist activities
G. Expand green and pedestrian areas
H. Introduce stronger measures against property speculation
I. Invest in climate adaptation
J. Your own policy
Explain:
What would you introduce?
Who would benefit?
Who might oppose it?
How would you pay for it?
What unintended consequences could occur?
9. HOUSING — THE CENTRAL BARCELONA DEBATE
Barcelona's housing market has become one of the most politically important issues in the city.
Discuss:
Should the city build significantly more public housing?
Should rents be more heavily regulated?
Should tourist apartments be restricted further?
Should property owners receive more incentives to rent long-term?
Should vacant properties be taxed?
Should the government restrict speculative property purchases?
Should developers be required to include affordable housing?
How can Barcelona prevent young people from being priced out?
Quick question:
What is the most realistic way to make housing more affordable in Barcelona?
10. TOURISM — ECONOMIC ENGINE OR URBAN PRESSURE?
Barcelona attracts millions of visitors every year.
Tourism creates jobs, generates tax revenue and supports restaurants, hotels, shops and cultural institutions.
At the same time, critics argue that excessive tourism can contribute to overcrowding, rising housing costs, pressure on public transport and the transformation of traditional neighbourhoods.
You are the mayor.
Create a tourism policy using THREE of these measures:
A. Increase tourist taxes
B. Reduce cruise tourism
C. Restrict tourist apartments
D. Promote tourism outside the city centre
E. Limit new hotels
F. Attract more high-spending visitors
G. Promote Barcelona more internationally
H. Introduce stricter rules for tourist businesses
I. Your own proposal
Explain your policy.
11. PUBLIC SAFETY
Public safety has become another major issue in the election campaign.
Different parties have proposed different approaches, including more police officers, greater surveillance, better lighting, changes to legislation and stronger coordination between police forces.
Discuss:
Does Barcelona need more police officers?
Should there be more surveillance cameras?
Should penalties for repeat offences be increased?
Can better urban design reduce crime?
How should the city deal with drug-related crime?
How important is prevention?
Should policing priorities be different in tourist areas?
How can Barcelona balance security with individual rights?
Quick question:
What makes a city feel safe?
12. MOBILITY — WHAT SHOULD BARCELONA LOOK LIKE?
Barcelona faces congestion, air pollution and pressure on its public transport network.
At the same time, the city is attempting to redesign streets and encourage public transport, walking and cycling.
Choose FIVE priorities:
more metro lines
more buses
more cycling infrastructure
fewer private cars
more pedestrian areas
better connections with the metropolitan area
more parking
lower public transport prices
more electric vehicles
better rail connections
wider pavements
fewer tourist coaches
Discuss:
Which five would you prioritise and why?
13. WHEN DOES GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION GO TOO FAR?
Consider these situations.
Situation A
The government limits the amount landlords can charge for rent.
Situation B
The city restricts the number of tourist apartments.
Situation C
The government introduces more surveillance cameras.
Situation D
The city increases taxes on tourists.
Situation E
The government requires developers to include affordable housing.
Discuss:
For each situation:
Who benefits?
Who loses?
What problem is the policy trying to solve?
Could it create another problem?
Is government intervention justified?
What alternative could achieve the same objective?
14. FILL IN THE BLANKS
Word Bank
pressing — contentious — accommodation — intervention — coexistence — metropolitan — reconcile — residents — regulation — speculative — congestion — incumbent
Housing has become one of the most __________ issues in Barcelona.
The debate over tourist apartments remains highly __________.
Many young people struggle to find affordable __________.
Some people believe government __________ in the housing market is necessary.
The city must find ways to improve __________ between tourists and local communities.
Barcelona is part of a much larger __________ region.
The next mayor will have to __________ economic growth with residents' quality of life.
Local __________ are concerned about rising rents and overcrowding.
New __________ could place stricter limits on tourist accommodation.
Critics argue that __________ property purchases can contribute to housing problems.
Traffic __________ remains a major challenge for Barcelona.
The __________ mayor will have to defend the government's record while presenting new policies.
15. FINAL DISCUSSION — THE BARCELONA YOU WANT
Imagine Barcelona in 2035.
Describe your ideal city.
Think about:
housing
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