Mayors Reflect on Power of Local Politics
The Sala de Socis of Ateneu Igualadí filled to capacity on Sunday 27 September 2026 for a dialogue between Francisco Romero, mayor of Vilafranca del Penedès, and Jordi Cuadras, opposition leader and mayoral candidate in Igualada, centred on the role of cities in strengthening democracy and civic life. The event marked the launch of Romero’s new book, La força de les ciutats (The Strength of Cities), published by Abacus, which argues that real political change emerges not from central institutions but from local networks and municipal cooperation. Inspired by the decentralised architecture of the internet, the book frames municipalism as a practical response to global challenges such as inequality and climate change. Romero emphasized the importance of reconnecting young people with local politics. He proposed the creation of a School of Municipalism to rebuild trust between citizens and institutions, stating that cities, neighbourhoods and public squares are the foundation for collective action.
We must place people at the centre of every city, every neighbourhood, every square, acting in network with other cities,
said Romero, who has served as mayor since 2023 under the PSC municipal programme.
Local Action as Global Response
Both Romero and Cuadras share a commitment to grassroots governance and cite former Barcelona mayor Pasqual Maragall as a shared political influence. They discussed how proximity, engaging directly with communities street by street, neighbourhood by neighbourhood, leads to more responsive and effective policy in areas like housing, basic services and local commerce. Cuadras highlighted ongoing initiatives in Igualada, including the regeneration of the Rec district to address housing shortages, the campaign for a high-capacity rail link via the Transversal Railway Corridor, and inter-municipal collaboration within the Conca d’Òdena region to strengthen its position as a key urban zone between Barcelona and Lleida. The discussion also touched on the need for cities to plan long-term projects beyond daily governance, fostering sustainable development and resilience. Both speakers agreed that municipalism, grounded in citizen participation, is a counterweight to populist and autocratic trends worldwide. The event was attended by former Igualada mayor Jordi Aymamí, underscoring cross-generational support for community-centred politics.
Reported by infoanoia.cat, franciscoromero.cat, abacus.coop.
