Putting an end to the imbalances between Barcelona neighborhoods and districts is the main objective of the Esquerra Republicana (ERC) candidate, Ernest Maragall. In a meeting between the mayor and residents organized by La Vanguardia in the Raval neighborhood, the applicant has made clear his formula to reverse the situation: "Training, employment and housing." For the political veteran, improving on these three axes is essential to effectively meet the needs of many people.
Security, which has been an issue widely addressed by all the candidates, was another great concern among the citizens who spoke with Maragall, as can be seen in the video report on these lines.
His solution to this question involves "an adequate presence of the Urban Police and the Mossos d'Esquadra" combined with what he calls "proximity justice", which allows a quick response to problems.
Asked how he is going to promote neighborhood commerce, Maragall points out that it is necessary to maintain the current establishments, promoting, for example, the generational change. As for the restoration, he assures that it is an "allied" sector but that it has to be "balanced". “It doesn't make sense that any street is just a succession of small restorations”, he clarifies.
Finally, one cannot talk about the Raval without talking about multiculturalism. Maragall believes that citizens of all cultural communities "should also consider themselves full-fledged Barcelonans". To achieve this, he comments, "the best way is for them to express themselves as they are" through spaces such as schools, civic centers or libraries.
