The situation surrounding the Rodalies railway network in Catalonia is once again in the spotlight, and the fallout from this crisis could affect every resident of the region. Issues of safety, reliability, and responsibility for transport infrastructure have come to the forefront after recent events, when disruptions in the system sparked a wave of public discontent and political dissent. For many Spaniards, this is not just a dispute among politicians—it’s about the quality of daily life and access to transportation.
During the latest parliamentary oversight session in Catalonia, Presidential Affairs Advisor Albert Dalmau found himself at the heart of heated debate. He had to respond to numerous questions and criticism from the opposition, which unanimously expressed its dissatisfaction with the government’s actions following recent Rodalies failures. Dalmau stressed that every member of the cabinet enjoys the confidence of President Salvador Illa, who is continuing his recovery after hospitalization. According to Dalmau, cooperation with central authorities is not a sign of weakness, but rather a demonstration of responsibility and a drive for improvement.
Opposition Demands
Despite Dalmau’s attempts to establish dialogue, opposition parties continue to insist on further resignations. Special attention is focused on the Territorial Affairs Councillor Sílvia Paneque, who is being named as the next candidate to step down. Dalmau explained that all decisions were made with citizens’ right to mobility and, above all, safety in mind. He also noted that the forced service stoppages revealed 30 areas in need of additional maintenance, emphasizing that such measures are only possible through close cooperation with the central government.
Responding to accusations of excessive dependence on Madrid, Dalmau reminded that refusal to cooperate had already led to negative consequences in the past. Throughout the discussion, he repeatedly urged the opposition to use the current crisis as a chance to fundamentally reform the Rodalies system rather than for political infighting.
Political disagreements
The recent resignations of two senior officials from Adif and Renfe have not satisfied the opposition. Leaders of the Junts and ERC parties have openly declared that this is not enough and are demanding Paneque’s departure. Mònica Sales from Junts recalled that the current Secretary for Mobility, Manel Nadal, already held a similar position during the previous major rail crisis twenty years ago. According to her, changing faces has not led to a change in approach, and as a result, the outcome remains the same.
The Republicans (ERC) also have no intention of backing down: according to their leader, Josep Maria Jové, Dalmau and Paneke have effectively taken responsibility for the decisions of Renfe and Adif, which they believe undermines trust in the government. In ERC’s view, further personnel changes are necessary to restore its reputation.
Social and economic aspects
The Comuns party secured a promise from Dalmau to maintain discounted public transport fares for the entire legislature. This measure is intended not only to offset the rising cost of living but also to partially ease dissatisfaction with transport service quality. Nevertheless, here too the minister faced criticism for being overly accommodating to the central government. Dalmau insists that the Catalan government must take responsibility and strive for improvements, regardless of who formally controls the infrastructure.
More outspoken statements were made during the discussion. The leader of the People’s Party, Alejandro Fernandez, posed a provocative question: “Did it really take a tragedy to draw attention to the state of the network?” He also criticized attempts to attribute the Rodalies problems solely to climate change and mocked the creation of a special working group on the issue. Representatives of the Vox party shared this stance.
Infrastructure challenges
Responding to the accusations, Dalmau cited scientific data: after three years of drought, Catalonia has experienced record rainfall in the past half-century, which, combined with worn-out infrastructure, has led to additional challenges. He acknowledged that the issue of inadequate railway network maintenance is systemic and requires a comprehensive approach. The CUP party also supported calls for Paneke’s resignation.
Concluding the discussion, Dalmau called on deputies to join forces in promoting the idea of Catalan management of Rodalies. In his view, only transferring powers to the local level can bring about real improvements in the region’s rail system.
