A sharp conflict erupted in Badalona after Mayor Xavier García Albiol organized the eviction of around 400 migrants from the former B9 institute building. The incident took place during the Christmas holidays, leaving many people out on the streets or under bridges. The leadership of the Partido Popular (PP), headed by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, not only refrained from condemning the mayor’s actions but also gave him their full support, despite a wave of criticism from the Catholic Church and several civil society organizations.
There was no internal dissent within the party regarding what happened. On the contrary, many believe the problem of illegal occupation should have been addressed even earlier. Even members of the Christian wing of the PP, despite the church’s protests, supported Albiol and his strong statements aimed at some of those evicted, whom he called a “mafia.”
Public reaction
The mayor himself has expressed no doubt about the correctness of his actions. He insists that among those evicted were both decent people and others who made life intolerable for their neighbors. According to him, this was the reason behind such drastic measures. Protests broke out in the city: some residents backed the mayor while others opposed him. The Catholic Church took a firm stance, condemning the eviction at the highest level.
Luis Arguello, Archbishop of Valladolid and head of the Bishops’ Conference, publicly compared the situation to the biblical story of Jesus’ birth, reminding that even today migrants often cannot find shelter. He noted that families are forced to live in cramped conditions and are evicted onto the streets during the holidays.
Church’s position
More than a hundred representatives of clergy and religious groups across the country signed an open letter condemning the actions of the city authorities. They stated that no city can be considered just if it leaves people homeless. In their view, the law should not be used as a pretext for destroying lives, and it is unacceptable to speak of security while fostering an atmosphere of fear and xenophobia.
However, neither the mayor nor PP leadership deemed it necessary to respond to these statements. On the contrary, Albiol emphasized his pride in fulfilling his promise to dismantle the illegal settlement. The party maintains that upholding the law is their main priority and sees no reason to reconsider their stance even under pressure from the Church.
Response to criticism
In response to accusations, PP representatives said they are willing to support any private or church initiatives to provide housing for those left on the street, as long as this is done within the law. The party wryly noted that if left-wing groups want to change the legislation to exempt state property from anti-squatting measures, they are willing to consider such proposals.
Within the PP, there is no strong Christian Democratic opposition, although some party veterans continue to voice support for Albiol despite disagreements with the church. Former Interior Minister Jorge Fernández Díaz, a well-known Catholic, stated that the church cannot justify crime, drugs, and prostitution, which he claims thrived in the vacated building. He emphasized that solidarity is an important Christian virtue, but it should not extend to those who break the law and disrupt the peaceful lives of neighbors. At the same time, he allowed that an exception could be made and assistance provided, at least temporarily, for those who were not involved in criminal activity.
Political context
Among the remaining Christian Democrats in the party, there are no serious objections to the actions of the Badalona mayor. They believe such measures are a response to growing discontent over migration, seen not only in Spain but also in other European countries and the US. In their opinion, this issue will be one of the key topics in the upcoming elections, and not just for right-wing parties. The PP denies that their rhetoric is aligned with the policies of Vox or the Aliança Catalana movement, although they acknowledge that public demand for tougher measures is on the rise.
