The Guardian - Ada Colau - Mayor of Barcelona - Is this the world’s most radical mayor?
Quote:
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In the weeks following her victory, Colau signalled what might be new about the new politics, with a series of headline-grabbing reforms. “This is the end of a political class removed from the people,” she said, cutting expense accounts and salaries of elected officials. She announced she would reduce her own pay from €140,000 to €28,600, slashed the budget for her own inauguration ceremony, and replaced her predecessor’s Audi with a more efficient mayoral minivan. (She was eventually blocked by political opponents from reducing her salary below €100,000 and has stated that she will donate the remaining sum to local groups.) She suggested withdrawing the annual €4m subsidy to Barcelona’s Grand Prix circuit, restored school meal subsidies to the city’s poorest children, and levied fines worth a total of €60,000 on banks that owned vacant properties. (At the posturing end of the spectrum of political action, she removed a bust of the recent King of Spain, Juan Carlos I, from the city hall’s council chamber.)
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Socialist, anti-royalist, pro-right to choose for Catalunya (even if she's not exactly for independence which I try not to hold against her). My absolute hero. A super smart, badass woman that has principles and (at least until now) seems to be ethically spotless.
I think it's probably not that uncommon that politicians like that exist, but it's highly unusual when they get elected to public office, because, politics are horrible and people are generally s
hit. :/