Mamdani's lesson for Catalan politics

BarcelonaThis week Zohran Mamdani has made headlines around the world after winning in New York City In the time of Donald Trump. This 34-year-old American, a self-proclaimed socialist of Muslim origin, has managed to connect with the youth vote and offer a glimmer of hope to the Democratic Party, although it would be a mistake to think that the results can be extrapolated to the entire United States. Through resources also used by the far right—social media, simple messages, and promises difficult to keep—he secured victory, but the key to his discourse has been to put the material conditions of the population, especially housing, back at the center. This is an issue that has not been central to the Democratic Party's discourse in recent years; otherwise, it's difficult to explain why Trump won the election as he did. Mamdani offers a formula for fighting the far right, which is to talk about affordability.

Housing is also a major concern in Catalonia. People in Barcelona cannot afford to live comfortably because they have to compete, with low wages, with wealthy expats. While in medium-sized cities there is no supply of rental or purchase properties and prices continue to rise (3.25% more in the second quarter of this year). This perception of the difficulty of living is reflected in the surveys. This week, the CEO published a poll in which he again asked about citizens' concerns, and housing was the top concern for 70% of respondents. Next came unemployment (39%), healthcare (38%), insecurity (33%), and immigration (33%). And, to these figures were added other worrying ones: 82% believe that "it is increasingly difficult for a working family to lead a decent middle-class life," and 74% believe that "working hard no longer guarantees economic security."

One has to wonder if, with different indicators, the far right would have the strength in Catalonia that the polls suggest, both Vox and Aliança. Especially since this same survey doesn't suggest that Catalan citizens harbor any animosity towards newcomers. When asked about the impact of immigration on the economy, 62% consider it positive; 51% believe it enriches the country's cultural life; 69% think they can trust people of other religions, and 72% of other nationalities. What does generate more resistance is when the question of social assistance is included: 52% believe that migrants receive far more than those born in Catalonia. To paraphrase James Carville, Bill Clinton's advisor in 1992, one could now say that It's the living conditions, stupid..

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