The signatory entities, including the Chamber of Commerce of Lleida, the Chamber of Commerce of Girona, Pimec Lleida, and the Grèmi d’Ostalaria dera Val d’Aran, issued a joint statement lamenting that the territory is being managed as a mere “postcard,” without sustained strategic commitment.
The manifesto is published two weeks before the start of the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo, an event for which the Pyrenees-Barcelona bid was initially prepared. The associations criticize that Catalonia is watching the Games in the Italian Alps from the sidelines, an event they claim was decided “not to dispute” due to lack of leadership.
“"The Pyrenees cannot continue to be the permanent surrender."
Furthermore, the signatories argue that the mountain regions urgently need “projection, investment, narrative, and opportunities,” and criticize that when a project places the Pyrenees at the center, “everything seems more debatable, more fragile, more dispensable.”
The statement also alleges that the snowfalls recorded this winter disprove the arguments used to justify the withdrawal of the Pyrenees-Barcelona bid for the 2030 Games. While acknowledging climate change, they assert that current snow accumulations confirm there is still “margin” for major projects.
The Consell Comarcal de la Cerdanya (Cerdanya County Council) has expressed explicit support for the manifesto, stating that they “fully endorse the diagnosis and reflections” presented, recalling that they backed the Olympic project as an opportunity to generate investment and improve services.
“"The development of the Pyrenees is not a concession; it is a collective responsibility of the country."
