Enric Batista Solanes will become the new municipal councillor for Junts per Catalunya on Tarragona City Council, filling the seat left vacant by the death of Pep Manresa on 31 July 2026. His appointment will take effect at the next full council meeting, pending credential issuance by the Central Electoral Board.

Batista, currently vice-president of football club Nàstic, was number four on Junts’ 2023 municipal election list led by party spokesperson Jordi Sendra. He described his entry into office as bittersweet, stating:

“I’d rather not have entered at all, and certainly not under these circumstances. I enter with Pep’s memory.”

He served as a regional police officer with the Mossos d'Esquadra for 34 years, from 1989 to 2023, primarily in the prison system. His final role was as corporal in the Community Relations Office and proximity unit, where he coordinated outreach with schools, neighbourhood associations, and municipal officials. He also delivered educational talks on safety, internet use, and youth criminal responsibility.

Community and Political Engagement

From 2021 to 2025, Batista served as spokesperson for the Catalan Roma Association of the Catalan Countries, collaborating with the Generalitat on youth and training programmes to improve Roma access to employment. Empowering Roma women has also been a central focus of his advocacy.

He has been involved with Nàstic since 2001, serving on its board and currently holding the position of vice-president. His appointment strengthens Junts’ municipal representation amid ongoing scrutiny of regional and local cooperation, including recent calls by Sendra for the Generalitat to address administrative delays affecting economic projects such as Family Park.

Commitment to Representation

Batista said he aims to give the Roma community a voice in local government while serving all residents:

“We’ve long demanded the chance to represent the Roma people and work for all citizens from within the council. Less complaining, more action. It’s a great opportunity, we must make the most of it.”

Sendra emphasized Batista’s deep understanding of Tarragona’s social fabric: “He knows security from the inside and has worked in our neighbourhoods for decades. Now, Tarragona needs that insight. No one replaces Pep. He was a colleague, and above all, a friend. But the seat belongs to the voters, we can’t leave it empty.”

Primary sources: govern.cat. Reported by Laura Rovira, reusdigital.cat, tarragona.cat, ca.wikipedia.org, diarimes.com.