A new political conflict is unfolding in Valencia that could impact the rules for public campaigning in Spanish cities. The city council, led by María José Catalá, has announced its intention to fine the Compromís party for putting up posters highlighting issues with urban transportation. This decision has sparked a heated response from both politicians and residents, as the matter concerns not only street cleanliness but also the freedom of expression in public spaces.
Compromís launched a large-scale campaign: dozens of posters criticizing the state of public transport appeared in various neighborhoods across the city. Each poster featured an address to the mayor and a QR code leading to a website with residents’ stories and complaints. According to party representatives, their goal was to draw attention to the deteriorating transport services, which, in their view, have changed from a solution to a new source of problems for locals.
However, city authorities saw this campaign not just as a political protest but also as a violation of city maintenance regulations. The city hall has already documented instances of the posters and stated they will respond as they would to any other violation—whether by a company or an individual. Catalá emphasized that such actions demand extra effort from municipal cleaning services, placing an additional burden on the city budget.
Accusations and counterclaims
The Mayor of Valencia did not limit herself to administrative measures. In her statements, she accused Compromís of hypocrisy, arguing that a party that pollutes the city itself loses the moral right to criticize the state of the streets. Catalá insists that politicians should set an example for citizens, not break the rules they expect others to follow.
In response, Compromís claims their actions are a forced measure after their official advertising campaign in the city metro was blocked. According to party representatives, they had paid in advance for posters in metro stations, but at the last moment, Metrovalencia refused, citing alleged incompatibility with the company’s image policy.
The party maintains that their goal is not to harm the city, but to inform residents and authorities about the real problems passengers face. As proof, they cite stories and feedback collected on a special website accessible via a QR code from the posters.
Censorship or concern for the city?
The situation escalated further after Compromís accused the city authorities of trying to restrict freedom of expression. According to them, the refusal to allow official advertisements and subsequent fines for street posters amount to nothing less than censorship. The party believes that city hall is trying to hide real transport problems instead of addressing them.
At the same time, city officials insist that this is solely about following regulations and maintaining cleanliness. Catala emphasizes that any political debate must be conducted in a civilized manner without harming the city’s appearance. She urges the opposition to find other ways to express their views without disrupting public order.
This conflict has already sparked widespread public reaction. Many residents are debating where the line lies between the right to protest and the obligation to respect city regulations. Heated discussions have broken out on social media about who is right in this situation and who is crossing the line.
Parallels and Consequences
Interestingly, such disputes over urban campaigns and transport issues are not uncommon in Spain. Recently, a scandal erupted in Catalonia following a railway accident, when the opposition demanded resignations and mass protests. For more on how transport crises become the focus of political battles, see the article about the fight for accountability in Catalonia.
In Valencia, the situation is complicated by the fact that it’s not just about transportation, but also about the principles of interaction between the authorities and the opposition. The city council’s decision to fine Compromís could set a precedent for other cities where political campaigns go beyond traditional formats. The question of where freedom of expression ends and disruption of public order begins remains open.
In recent years, debates over street protests and political advertising have intensified in Spain. In some cases, authorities have tightened regulations to curb unauthorized campaigns, while in others, the opposition searches for new ways to make their voices heard in the city. These conflicts are becoming part of a broader discussion about balancing freedom of speech with responsibility for urban spaces. New debates and, possibly, legislative changes regulating such actions are expected in the near future.
