The Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, generated strong controversy on January 25, 2026, by posting a photograph of himself reading the Spanish edition of Vogue magazine on social media. The image, which celebrated the magazine dedicating its cover and a special feature to the Catalan capital, was quickly deleted due to the flood of criticism.
The main reason for the public and political anger was that the post was made during the fifth day of the severe Rodalies rail crisis, which directly affected thousands of citizens and businesses in Barcelona. The original text of the post, now removed, stated: “Our city shines with its own light in one of the most prestigious magazines in the world”.
“"To start reading the Spanish edition of Vogue is a whole speech, and it has been perfectly understood: 'I don't care about you or your problems'."
One of the most forceful reactions came from the exiled President, Carles Puigdemont, who criticized Collboni for making no mention of the railway chaos. Puigdemont accused the mayor of looking the other way to “avoid bothering his party colleagues who govern in Catalonia and Spain,” preferring to side with those responsible for the disaster.
