Neither a frontal opposition nor a seamless support. The non-attached councilor Marisa Gaspar has drawn an intermediate position during the Debate on the State of the City. He has recognized the ambition of the mayor’s project Natalia Chueca for Zaragoza, but has demanded more self-criticism and has warned him that he should not allow himself to be conditioned either by the left or by his current budget partners, or what is the same, he has thrown some barbs at his previous political formation, Vox.
Unlike the rest of the opposition groups, Gaspar has combined praise and reproach to the mayor. He admitted that Zaragoza has promoted «very ambitious» projects during the legislature, although he recalled that it will be the citizens who decide in the 2027 municipal elections whether this city model has been the right one.
It was in this context that he launched one of the most striking phrases of the session. «Do not allow yourself to be cornered by the shabby left, but neither by those who should be your support,» he said, in a clear allusion to Vox, a formation that he has reproached for having kept Zaragoza three months without budgets «waiting for instructions from Madrid». Despite this, he has also acknowledged to Chueca that «you can tell that he loves his city» and that, «coming from the years of left-wing governments», that seemed «very grateful».
MORE ATTENTION TO DAY-TO-DAY PROBLEMS
Among the criticisms of the municipal government, Gaspar cited the closure of the Amusement Park, the uncertain future of the City of Cinema or the increase in the cost of the Nueva Romareda, an infrastructure that, he recalled, «was going to have a zero cost». In his opinion, they are examples that should lead the local executive to make «a little more self-criticism».
The non-attached councillor has also called for intensifying policies to combat homelessness, strengthening support for the elderly and their caregivers and extending urban regeneration projects such as Zamoray-Pignatelli to other ageing neighbourhoods to facilitate young people’s access to housing. In addition, he has asked to accelerate the arrival of facilities in expansion areas such as Parque Venecia.
In cultural matters, he has defended recovering the Montserrat Caballé International Singing Competition and strengthening the opera season, in addition to lamenting the state of the Fleta Theater, which he has defined as «a great scar» for Zaragoza. He has also distanced himself from other criticisms from the opposition by supporting the large events held in the Plaza del Pilar and the reform planned for this space.
