Barcelona Mayor Confronts King

Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau confronted King Felipe during a dinner yesterday to welcome this year’s Mobile World Congress in the city.

The mayor refused to formally welcome the King because she sees him as supporting police action against last year’s illegal referendum on Catalan independence. She told him so this week.

rey_mobile_barcelona_20180226_08 — King Felipe with Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau to the right and Spanish Vice President Soraya Sáenz de Santamaria to the left.

The King, according to sources and media outlets, responded that his role was to support the Spanish Constitution and the Catalan statute of autonomy.

King Stresses Unity In Catalonia Trip

King Felipe today sought to revive the spirit of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics as a way to combat political instability in Catalonia.

His Majesty participated in ceremonies in the Catalan capital to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the historic games.

There he met with Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, who is calling for a referendum on independence from Spain.

rey_alto_rendimiento_20170725_04 — © Casa de S.M. el Rey

Don Felipe, who carried the Spanish flag during the opening ceremonies in 1992, said participants “represented all we are and all that we can achieve together.”

The King also met with Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau, known for her left leaning views but also her discomfort with independence.

rey_conmemoracion_25_aniversario_jjooyparalimpicos_20170725_04 — © Casa de S.M. el Rey

Some of the events were at Albéniz Palace, the King’s residence in Barcelona, which is mostly used for ceremonial purposes.