Barcelona to extend 2024 budget after failed negotiations to renew it

The Barcelona city council, led by mayor Jaume Collboni, will forgo presenting a new budget plan for 2025, as announced by economy councilor Jordi Valls on Monday.

The city government attributes this decision to the "constant new red lines" imposed by the left-wing Comuns, whose support is required for budget approval.

"The government has decided to stop and considers the negotiations over," Valls said during a press conference on Monday.

He accused the Comuns of being entrenched in "rigid demands." "If you are never satisfied, it is likely because you are not genuinely seeking an agreement," he added.

This announcement means that the 2024 budget will be extended into 2025. However, Valls assured that "the city will not be affected by this decision."

Valls explained that negotiations spanned four months and included 30 meetings between the Socialist-led government and the two parties whose support is necessary for approval: the Comuns and the left-wing Esquerra.

While an agreement was reached with Esquerra, no consensus was found with the Comuns. "They have continually introduced new red lines, increased demands, and repeatedly strained the negotiations," Valls said.

He emphasized that the proposed budget included several of the Comuns' demands, such as boosting resources for social housing - exceeding €200 million - and subsidies for public transport.

The 2025 budget plan, which will not be approved, had been set to increase the 2024 budget by 1.2%, marking the highest budget in the city’s history.