The leader of the lefties coalition Barcelona Together, Ada Colau, center, celebrates the victory of her party after elections in Barcelona, Spain in this May 24 Photo.le
MADRID — Spain’s biggest cities — Madrid and Barcelona — are expected to swear in far-left mayors today in one of the nation’s biggest political upheavals in years. The radical leaders promise to cut their own salaries, halt homeowner evictions and eliminate perks enjoyed by the rich and famous.
The leadership change comes weeks after Spain’s two largest traditional parties were punished in nationwide local elections by voters groaning under the weight of austerity measures and repulsed by a string of corruption scandals.
In Madrid, 71-year-old retired judge Manuela Carmena has vowed among other things to take on wealthy Madrilenos who enjoy exclusive use of the city-owned Club de Campo country club — opening it up to the masses. “We’re creating a new kind of politics that doesn’t fit within the conventions,” she said ahead of yesterday’s vote by city councilors expected to make her mayor. “Get ready.”
In Barcelona, anti-eviction activist Ada Colau questions whether it’s worth spending 4 million euros of city money to help host the glitzy Formula 1 race every other year. She thinks the funds would be better spent on free meals for needy children at public schools. /AP