BarcelonaThere was a time when the controversy over the Olympic Games revolved around whether in the July consultation only the counties of the vegueria of the Alt Pirineu and Aran had to vote or whether, on the other hand, they also had to vote. participate in Berguedà, Solsonès and Ripollès. Finally, the decision was made to make two inquiries, one binding and the other not. In any case, the results of the survey carried out by the Government in December already showed broad support for Catalonia in general, and for the vegueria in particular. We now know that this support also exists – at least demographically – in Berguedà, Solsonès and Ripollès, once the executive has disaggregated some of the data, to which ARA has had access.
Last January, the government published part of the same poll, which stated that 73.3% of Catalans welcomed the Games and that 74.6% of the inhabitants of the Alt Pirineu also approved them. Now the novelty is that the data remain at the same levels of acceptance if the Berguedà, the Solsonès and the Ripollès are also specifically analyzed. In these three counties, added to the others that will also vote, support for the contest is 74.2%, while detractors stand at 22%.
The data is interesting because several political parties pressed for Berguedà, Solsonès and Ripollès to also have their consultation and until now it was not known if there was a favorable climate. Also, in this area is where there are more local officials who have expressed their doubts about the event. The appointment not only raises support, but also the citizens know it: 81% say they know the intentions of the Government.
For the inhabitants of the area, the main challenge is to improve infrastructure and public transport
The survey also asks what the main opportunities and risks are for the people of the vegueria and the three counties. In the section on opportunities, mention is made of improving infrastructure (32%), improving the economy of the area (24%) and increasing knowledge and the image of the territory (18%). Among the risks detected, the main one is that of not having snow during the Games due to climate change (23%), creating infrastructures that will be abandoned after the event (22%) and a negative environmental impact ( 15%).
The inhabitants of the area also express their priorities on how the project should be, which, if successful, would be done in 2030. For 28% of respondents, the most important thing is that it is economically and environmentally sustainable; for 25%, that the opinion of the territory is taken into account, and for 21%, that the legacy is profitable. Whether there are Games or not, respondents explain what the Government’s challenges should be in the area: the most cited are improving infrastructure (33.4%), improving public transport (17%), improving health services (16 .6%), boost services (15.2%) and create jobs (14%).
Appearance in Parliament
The survey was carried out by the company Sigmados between 9 and 20 December 2021 on 1,506 people from all over Catalonia, of which 300 from the Alt Pirineu and Aran vegueria and 200 from Berguedà , Ripollès and Solsonès. This Thursday, the Councilor for the Presidency, Laura Vilagrà, will appear in Parliament to address the candidacy for the Games and the level of support they are raising in the area will be discussed. However, the final survey will be on the day of the consultation: July 24.
