Impulsem councillor Joan Vila confirmed on Wednesday that the party will contest the 2027 municipal elections in Manresa independently. The move aims to consolidate Impulsem's project and position it to lead the city's government.
Speaking at a press conference at the Kursaal, Vila made it clear that Impulsem will maintain its own candidacy. This decision rules out integration into a joint list with other forces such as Junts and Avenç, with whom discussions had taken place in recent months. "We have not come to disappear, we have not come to be given a chair, but to work and do the job," Vila stated firmly.
The Impulsem leader explained that proposals received so far do not align with his party's vision. He argued that Manresa "deserves to have a dedicated and committed force working for it." This announcement, he added, strengthens the party's resolve to build its own strong alternative after its emergence in 2023, when it secured two councillors.
From Emerging Force to Leadership Ambition
Impulsem first gained representation in the last municipal elections and joined the municipal government alongside ERC, which had seven councillors, and PSC, which had four. This coalition formed a majority that has governed the city during the current term.
Now, Vila is taking a more ambitious step. "I want to lead a new stage based on trust, stability, and results," he declared, highlighting his group's track record in government and its role in municipal management.
He argued that Impulsem represents "a way of governing based on seriousness, rigour, and the conviction that municipal politics must serve to solve real problems." Vila criticised what he sees as a drift towards "ideological noise" and "permanent tactical manoeuvring" in local politics.
Municipal Focus and Party Independence
A central theme of Vila's speech was the defence of municipalism and independence from party structures. "Only we can act thinking exclusively about Manresa, without directives coming from outside," he asserted.
The councillor emphasised Impulsem's ability to make decisions locally. He criticised instances where "some decisions affecting Manresa are consulted in Barcelona," calling it a "contradiction." This autonomy, according to Vila, is one of the party's main assets, allowing it to prioritise the city's real needs. "Our priority will be the city, our city," he stressed.
A Cross-Cutting and 'Central' Project
Regarding ideological definition, Vila avoided the left-right axis, opting instead for a cross-cutting position. "The left-right axis does us more harm than good; we want to work for the benefit of the city, and that's not about axes, it's about work," he said.
He maintained that Impulsem is "a totally cross-cutting list" and "central," capable of integrating diverse sensibilities with a common goal: Manresa. "Regardless of what people vote in other elections, here the only unifying axis is the city," he added.
Government Assessment and Future Outlook
Despite establishing its distinct profile, Vila gave a positive assessment of the government experience with ERC and PSC. He stated that they feel "comfortable" and have acted with "institutional responsibility." However, he acknowledged that the future political landscape would be complex.
"The 2027 panorama will be very complex, and there will be no clear majorities. Impulsem will have to be everywhere," he predicted, leaving the door open for future post-election pacts but ruling out pre-election agreements. "Our price will be higher in 2027 than in 2023," he added.
City Challenges and Initial Proposals
While not yet detailing the electoral programme, Vila indicated that Impulsem is working on several proposals to be unveiled in the coming months. Among the issues he mentioned is the debate over burying the train line, a matter on which he made clear they do not agree with the current plan.
He also highlighted the need to address challenges such as immigration management, which he described as a "complex challenge" for the city. "We must care for it, but also organise it and ensure that everyone has rights and duties," he explained, advocating for "non-radical" solutions based on dialogue.
Finally, Vila championed Manresa's role as the capital of Central Catalonia. He argued for the need to strengthen its regional projection. "We must act as a capital and lead our surroundings," he affirmed, suggesting the need for cooperation with other municipalities and regions. He supports advancing towards supramunicipal collaboration models and optimising resources within existing limitations. "Manresa must play a key role, and we will fight for it to be the reference capital of the territory," he concluded.
