Former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau has made it clear that she does not intend to run for office again, either at the municipal or national level. As Barcelona En Comú prepares for party primaries, she announced her decision not to return to electoral campaigns. Her statement comes amid changes to the movement’s charter, which now limit leadership terms to twelve years.
Colau spent nearly a decade in city politics: eight years as mayor and almost two more in opposition. While the new rules would allow her to remain in the city council for a couple more years, she does not plan to exercise this option. The updated code allows for exceptions, but Colau has chosen not to pursue them.
Barcelona En Comú is already preparing for the next phase—the party plans to hold internal elections in early 2027 to select a new team for the municipal race. This time, the ticket must include a woman. Among those who have expressed interest in the primaries is Roberto Enríquez Higueras, better known as Bob Pop. The candidacy of Gerardo Pisarello, a former city government member, is also under discussion.
The changes to the party’s charter reflect a commitment to renewal and leadership rotation. Previously, term limits applied only to two terms; now, they are capped at twelve years, with possible extensions in exceptional cases. This move aims to bring new faces and ideas into city leadership.
As Colau steps into the background, a leadership struggle is emerging within Barcelona En Comú. Who will lead the movement into the 2027 elections will become clear in the coming months. In any case, Barcelona’s political landscape is set for change, and Ada Colau’s name will remain in the city’s history as a symbol of transformation and civic engagement.
