Jordi Masquef (Junts): "We are here to do useful politics. I would negotiate budgets in Madrid."

BarcelonaThe mayor of Figueres, Jordi Masquef, a prominent figure in the Junts party at the municipal level, speaks with ARA to address the problems facing medium-sized cities in Catalonia and also to discuss national and state politics.

He won the 2023 municipal elections with an absolute majority. Do you think you can replicate that level of popular support?

— With effort and humility, this is the goal. Although every day is a very demanding test.

At ARA, we're interested in what's happening in medium-sized cities in Catalonia. What challenges does a city like Figueres face that could be compared to those of other regional capitals?

— In the short term, we must address issues of cleanliness, antisocial behavior, and insecurity; in the medium term, we must create a better city so that people will want to live in Figueres, where a phenomenon of ruralization has occurred. That is to say, in the 1980s people came to the city, and now they are moving to the villages because they are also well-equipped with services. The major challenges are railway infrastructure, the business model, and other issues that have been circulating for years.

He didn't mention the house. Is this a problem in Figueres?

— Yes, in the case of Figueres, the supply of both homes for sale and for rent is extremely limited. That's why public-private partnerships are essential, and the authorities must do their part: it's the only way to create more housing and make it affordable. The right to housing is a fundamental right.

Before going into the interview, I did the exercise of entering a real estate portal and there was only one apartment for rent, for 1,250 euros.

— Yes, the supply is practically nonexistent. We are working with Incasòl and private developers to expand it. We are trying to acquire plots of land, like the recent 25,000 square meters of developable land, to develop private and subsidized housing. We are also in talks with a cooperative that has purchased a 50-unit building from Sareb to rent them to vulnerable populations. We must try to avoid speculation with such an essential and basic resource.

I would therefore be in favor of what the president of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, is considering doing: limiting speculative housing purchases?

— I could agree, but what I would ask is that the public authorities do their job. I ask for swift action. I don't blame a government of any particular political stripe; the duties haven't been done, and haven't been for many years.

You're from Junts. Does the party prioritize housing in its platform?

— I think so. Juntos is making a proposal, which is interesting for local councils, to reduce all the bureaucracy involved in making urban land directly available to public and private entities. This is killing us.

In the Catalan parliamentary elections, Junts won in Figueres, but in coalition with the PSC, and Vox and Aliança also performed well. What's happening to cause this surge for the far right?

— We won the 2023 municipal elections with a very comfortable majority, 13 out of 21 seats. The second-largest party won 3 council seats, and we felt empowered to implement our program. In the 2024 parliamentary elections, however, the results were different. We are in a rather turbulent period, with parties that raise certain issues and offer biased analyses, focusing on a single topic, and ultimately proposing magical solutions that those of us in government know are rarely applicable under current law.

But are you afraid of the rise of the far right in the upcoming municipal elections?

— We're trying to plug the far-right flank with a tough stance on issues like insecurity and antisocial behavior, which are obviously matters of concern to people. It's clear that penalties need to be tougher, that there need to be more Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police), and that what people don't understand is why someone caught stealing ten or fifteen times is released within hours.

And isn't there a risk that with these issues you'll buy into the far-right's narrative?

— No, absolutely not. For us, it doesn't matter what you call yourself or where you're from; what matters is what you're here to do. We want people who contribute, not those who come here to live off the system. talebut without stigmatizing.

But do you connect this to immigration?

— Not necessarily. I don't care about race, nationality, or religion; the issue is whether you come to contribute. This is a welcoming country. Sometimes, members of different communities themselves ask for a firm hand with their fellow citizens because they don't want everyone to lump them all together. But we don't stigmatize; this is what distinguishes us from the far right.

Do you consider immigration a problem or a virtue?

— Immigration is necessary and positive. We need people from elsewhere. However, those who don't come to contribute, who don't behave, who don't comply with the minimum rules of coexistence, are not welcome.

Do you support the expulsion of immigrants who have committed crimes?

— Yes, and it makes sense. What can't happen is for someone to come here and try to be a disruptive force. Anyone who comes here to earn a living is welcome.

This is truly differential treatment compared to those born here.

— Nationals, by the mere fact of being nationals, should have certain privileges.

In this, they agree with Aliança and Vox in that they defend the expulsion of those who commit crimes.

— Our approach differs greatly because we don't lump everyone together, as these other parties do. That's why Junts was demanding powers over immigration.

Juntos puts the issue on the table at a very specific moment, in a context of growth of the far right.

— If you look at my social media from 2018 and 2019, my tweets were consistent. The rise of the far right hasn't changed my convictions one bit. I don't consider myself racist or someone who stigmatizes others.

You too are calling for a change of course for Junts, how are other mayors doing it?

— I try to be a person who values unity, and I believe that disagreement can be enriching. In my speech at the Junts national council meeting in Figueres, I called for more pragmatism and for us to be less inhibited when discussing certain issues.

Does the party, at the national level, not speak openly about these issues we just mentioned?

— The party does very good work [...], but sometimes perhaps we don't communicate it perfectly. I have a very good relationship with MP Salvador Vergés, who the other day defended the train issue in Figueres before the Parliament's transport committee. This is what I like. Our strength lies in local government and in embracing the best of Catalan nationalism. I come from CDC.

Some mayors see Salvador Vergés as a potential successor or future leader. Do you share that view?

— She has real talent; she's one of the people destined to play a crucial role within Junts. There are others too. We have excellent raw material, but we need to overcome our insecurities because we've been held hostage by the dogmatic left for too long. We've been intimidated and made to feel inferior.

Has Juntos allowed itself to be dragged along by the CUP during the Process?

— I think so. This is a personal opinion. I have a good relationship with the people from the CUP, but we must be aware that they are the complete opposite of our project. They are like water and I am like oil.

Together they govern with the CUP in Girona.

— Yes, but I think that Ms. Gemma Geis is now doing a very good job and is distancing herself from Mayor Salellas.

And would you like Junts to form a coalition with the PSC?

— It's clear that it needs to be present in institutions, for example, in the provincial councils. We govern in Girona with Esquerra, through a solid pact. Provincial councils are important and shouldn't be underestimated; Junts had the opportunity to play a significant role in other institutions in the past, and...

You would have made a pact with the PSC in Lleida, Barcelona and Tarragona.

— Politics is either something you do, or something that's done to you. To implement our policies, we need to be in charge of the provincial councils and other bodies. It's also true that we're not present in other areas, like the Barcelona City Council, because the PSC hasn't treated us well. That was a stab in the back..

In Parliament, should Juntos seek agreements with the PSC?

— If it's beneficial for the country… The numbers are what they are. We must be of service to the public to deserve a better result in the next elections. Agreements, if they are specific and good for the public, and we believe they are, why not?

So, what did you vote for in the referendum on breaking with the PSOE?

— The vote is secret. I fully understand the leadership's position; a positive vote is understandable. But so is a negative one. Voting in favor [of breaking away] is entirely logical and consistent because the breaches have been blatant, in fact, they date back to the 2006 Statute. Those who voted against it because they believe we should try until the very end are also entitled to their vote.

But what do you think? What would you have done if it had been in your power to break with the PSOE?

— This is not a breakup.

The national leadership maintains that it is indeed a break.

— I think it's a pressure tactic to show the PSOE we're not bluffing. It's a smart move; ultimately, you can't be a cuckold and have to pay for the drinks.

I interpret that you are not answering the question because you would not have broken with the PSOE; otherwise, you would tell me that you are totally aligned with the leadership.

— I understand the position of the leadership and those who voted yes, and I also understand those who voted no. I imagine this is to put more pressure on the PSOE. What I wouldn't understand is Junts participating in a no-confidence motion [with the PP and Vox] to install another president. In other words, breaking away isn't about seeking an alternative government.

Let me ask you a different question. Would you prefer to have an interlocutor in Madrid who could negotiate the state budget? Would you like Junts to negotiate to secure concessions for the municipalities?

— Yes, I'm a person who believes in consensus and compromise, and I think that if that possibility exists, it should be explored. We're here to do effective politics. I have great faith in the people in Madrid, in what they're doing and their judgment, and I think we should seek trade-offs that ultimately benefit the Catalan people. We have a magic number of representatives, seven, which means that all decisions depend on Junts, and we must make the most of this majority. I would negotiate budgets as far as possible, of course.

Both in Madrid and in Catalonia?

— In Catalonia, it depends on whether we could get some interesting concessions in return. Why not? What I don't like is that they have to be negotiated with the Comuns. As we were saying before, you either make politics or it makes you.

Some mayors from Junts support forming a coalition with Aliança, while others do not. What do you think?

— Right now, there are red lines that make a pact with the far right highly unlikely. Personally, I don't see it happening right now.

There are also mayors who are calling for the appointment of an opposition leader in the Catalan Parliament. Puigdemont cannot currently take his seat because the amnesty does not apply to him.

— We can't try to replace President Puigdemont's influence and personality, but we could put someone in charge of leading the opposition. Ideally, though, Puigdemont would be able to return here.

Do you think that the leaders from 2017, such as Puigdemont and Jordi Turull, should continue to lead Junts?

— Yes. Both the Secretary General, Jordi Turull, and President Puigdemont have significant political experience and track records. They have our full confidence.

Are you nervous about the municipal elections?

— I am a prudent and patient person, mayor 24/7. I respect elections, but I am not afraid or fearful. Although the situation is turbulent everywhere, I believe that people are happy.

And what about the other mayors from Junts?

— We'd have to ask them. I've already accepted that the day I lose, I'll be finished and I'll go home the same way I arrived, without recriminations. These days, some people are more fashionable, and we have to fight them with arguments. My grandfather used to tell me that all extremes are destructive, and he was absolutely right.

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