In Balaguer, the city’s socialist mayor is pushing back against anti-immigration rhetoric that is taking hold, including within her own party.
The issue matters beyond Balaguer, because it reflects a wider debate in Catalonia about how local leaders respond to social tension, population change and political pressure.
The article says the city is facing decline and segregation, which adds urgency to the debate over language, public policy and the way migration is discussed in civic life.
For readers following local politics across Catalonia, this sits alongside wider coverage of municipal issues and party dynamics on our news page.
As the discussion continues, Balaguer offers a clear example of how a local mayor can challenge hardline messaging while dealing with the practical pressures of governing a city under strain.