The extraordinary plenary session held this Friday in Badalona concluded a week of significant tension surrounding the issue of homelessness. The session, forced by the opposition, aimed for Mayor Xavier Garcia Albiol to account for the deaths of homeless individuals in the city. The week was marked by an eviction under the C-31 bridge, the signing of the 'Declaració de Badalona' by dozens of social entities, and the Prosecutor's Office's conclusion that the municipal government failed to comply with a judicial order in the B9 eviction. Furthermore, former mayor Dolors Sabater raised the death toll to nine, a claim denied by Albiol.

In a climate of considerable acrimony, the plenary unanimously approved a point expressing institutional condolences for the deceased and another contemplating the creation of a soup kitchen. It was at this moment that Mayor Albiol surprised attendees by presenting documentation for the project of a new municipal soup kitchen. He announced that it would be approved during the first half of April and that construction would begin in the second half of 2026. Despite Albiol's proposal to withdraw the agenda item, the Guanyem and Badalona en Comú groups maintained the debate, expressing doubts about the announcement.

The debate began with a minute of silence in memory of the victims. Former mayor Dolors Sabater opened the discussion, lamenting that "the probability of dying on the streets of Badalona is greater than in large cities like Paris or Barcelona." Sabater insisted on the figure of nine deaths, while councilor Eva Guillén responded harshly, accusing the opposition of attacking and insulting the municipal government and warning of potential consequences for their statements.

Other opposition voices also criticized municipal management. Aïda Llauradó, president of Badalona en Comú Podem, denounced the "serious situation of people dying on the street due to neglect." For his part, Àlex Montornès, president of the ERC group, compared Badalona's investment in homelessness (117,000 euros) with that of other municipalities like L'Hospitalet or Terrassa (1.4 million), stating that the government "is not doing everything it can." Socialist councilor Christian Carneado described the Albiol government's communication policy as "shameful."

Another point of contention was the vacating of the former B9 institute and the management of those evicted. Albiol defended that the operation was coordinated with the Generalitat and cited a judicial order from February indicating that the eviction order of December 4 "did not condition the eviction on the granting of alternative housing." The mayor reiterated his refusal to reopen the municipal shelter of Can Bofí Vell, despite the opposition's insistence.