Fèlix Larrosa: "It's not true that the city isn't clean; it's just that we don't pay attention to what we do in public spaces."

LleidaLleida is a socialist city. At least that's demonstrated by the more than four decades of PSC government in the Paeria, with mayors such as Antoni Siurana, Àngel Ros, and, since the last elections, Fèlix Larrosa. We review with him the first half of a term in which he has governed peacefully with the help of Junts' support.

Two years ago, the PSC won back the mayoralty of Lleida. What did this mean?

The Paeria is a huge ship. Because not only does this institution exist, but also all the satellites that surround it, such as the Fair, Mercolleida, the Science Park, the Fish Market, the Tourist Board... When we took over the government, we did so to reclaim the city of opportunities, the healthy city, the city with a woman's perspective, the city of

The opposition criticizes the fact that they are living off the rent from projects approved during the previous term.

Taking over a municipal government also means continuing projects that were born from the inertia of the previous political situation, such as all the projects linked to the Next Generation projects. This happens largely unnoticed, but it requires management with very precise deadlines that create stress during our transition.

With this in mind, what has the new government done?

It's been fifteen months since we presented our Municipal Action Plan, and we're already more than 60% complete. We're also offering citizens a way to monitor us. We monitor ourselves.

Tell me about specific projects.

We've changed the gardening contract, with new managers and a budget of five million euros (two million more than before) to maintain our green areas. The city has grown, and therefore, we must manage it differently.

Like cleanliness, an aspect constantly criticized by the right…

The city isn't dirtier because it isn't cleaned, but because we don't pay attention to what we do in public spaces.

This insinuation seems dangerous to me, at least on a political level…

Not dangerous. I have proof every morning when I go out. The bottles I see on the ground aren't a coincidence, because in the morning, before the cleaning staff comes by, they're there, and by midday, they're gone.

And this brings us to the Pact for Civics?

Exactly. But I remember: we secured a €300 million cleaning contract. When we came into government, the hottest thing was in the kitchen sink.

Lack of security regarding cleaning is another aspect that is heavily criticized by the right.

Nuance, the right and the far right.

OK.

We've implemented a job placement system that currently has a police force of nearly 250 officers. We also have new operational centers in the historic center and a community brigade, in addition to new technologies applied to security. In this regard, we are a benchmark.

How is our Mariola neighborhood?

For four years, nothing has been done in Mariola, and the first thing we did was launch an operational center. But the most important thing is the Living Neighborhoods Plan, which aims to raise neighborhood awareness and work with residents on diversity and co-responsibility. We have an urban improvement plan focused on Mariola's blogs, which are one of the sources of conflict. We want to advance social regeneration.

But aren't there fears that Mariola could become a powder keg after the latest incident with the Mossos?

There were events there that we regret, but evidently, too much noise has been made. I'm not blaming the media, but rather the fact that the anecdote is being talked about so much. What happened in Mariola doesn't happen every day. And when we analyzed it with the officers at the Mariola Operations Center and with local social services, they talked to us about poverty, diversity, education, and employment.

The same goes for the historic center?

After two years in office, we have a plan. The important thing is for a government to have a plan, a well-developed plan, supported by experts, that advances the social dimension, and operations are underway. We're already in the process of starting to build a building for young people. Social economy projects are underway at the Mercat del Pla. This is accompanied by 32 revival projects for the historic center. The comprehensive plan for the historic center is unstoppable.

He speaks as if no one had put a magnifying glass on it…

Who has spoken with the owners of the Principal station in recent years? Mayor Larrosa. Who has spoken with the owners of the Mercedarios station in recent years? Mayor Larrosa. Who has argued with Adif to push through the station plan? Mayor Larrosa.

And in the other neighborhoods?

We have submitted a bid to implement the urban agenda in the first ring. This affects seven other neighborhoods in the city.

This summer, we'll continue to see seasonal workers at the fairgrounds. The current government canceled the shelter project conceived by the previous mayor.

An inclusion plan that costs thirteen million euros.

Can you tell me about it?

The inclusion model includes actions throughout the city, because Lleida must be a welcoming city that gives dignity to people. We don't want a shoebox to cram everything into, like a jumble. In addition to building the first center for seasonal workers (there will be several), we're working on immigration programs, regularization and temporary job coverage, and facilities to care for the homeless and victims of harassment and abuse. These are all vulnerable groups identified who, until now, haven't felt included.

An ambitious plan.

We already said we would execute it in seven years. It's not done in a day. We've been working for months. hubs And the spaces that incorporate the inclusion model are spaces that bring together older people, young people, homeless people, people with a high vulnerability index, people who need special attention. They are spaces for co-creation, spaces for coexistence of different profiles so they can interact and help each other.

These days, Lleida's urban development plan is being touted as a plan for growth. Economic, urban, industrial... and commercial. Won't the future Torre Salses area affect the small businesses on Calle Mayor?

Torres Salses doesn't even exist yet, and stores are already closing. It has fallen into the same category as other European cities. Exactly the same problem exists in Porto, Valencia, Madrid, and Barcelona.

How do we prevent them from closing?

There's a point that has nothing to do with large shopping centers. What we need is an attractive, diverse, specialized offering, with high service. And Lleida's entrepreneurs know how to do that. That's why I encourage you to participate in the new dimensions proposed within the framework of the new Urban Development Plan.

Like the Station District plan.

We can't fall into a single system here. We must contribute to a revitalization that encompasses tourism, commercial, and residential dimensions. I want people to return to living in the historic center. And that's why we must strengthen the neighborhood's extremes.

The first phase of low-emission zones will be implemented on July 1st. Isn't there a lot of confusion among drivers about this?

It's a commotion that forces us to rethink the city's mobility. But in Lleida, we've made it very easy and, what's more, we comply with European regulations. Perhaps we should explain it more, and until 2028, when the system will be expanded, we have time to explain it even more. But one thing is very clear.

Which?

All those who pay taxes in Lleida will be able to drive their cars. Access to the historic center will be clearly marked, and everyone knows that if they have the appropriate tags, they won't have any problems.

Are we assuming that Larrosa will be the PSC's mayoral candidate in the upcoming Lleida municipal elections?

My intention is to continue serving the public, and in any case, when we start talking about electoral processes, we'll decide.

If he does, he'll probably have to continue governing in a minority. Are you comfortable with this situation?

Obviously, it's easier to govern alone than with pacts and alliances. These hypermajorities that some have are sometimes boring. Politics needs to talk, it needs to negotiate, it needs understanding. And I feel very comfortable negotiating. I always say that two people don't fight if one doesn't want to, and two people agree if both want to agree. That's the key.