PSOE councillor Guillermo Ortiz, accompanied by Ros Cihuelo, visited the works at San Miguel Square and the surrounding streets on Thursday and denounced their impact on commercial activity. According to the Socialists, as many as six businesses in the square itself have closed during the works. Ortiz called on the City Council to facilitate access to aid for businesses affected by construction, pointing out that only 21 traders have applied for it and that the process may require up to nine bureaucratic procedures.
For the PSOE, one solution would be to replace part of this process with a declaration of responsibility allowing aid payments to be brought forward. Ortiz also called for a specific ‘Volveremos’ scheme for traders and self-employed workers affected by construction, as well as greater dialogue with residents and businesses. "The PSOE is not opposed to the works," the councillor said, calling for "no one to be left behind" while the renovation is carried out.
PP DENIES DELAYS TO THE WORKS
From Zaragoza's government, Urban Planning Councillor Víctor Serrano denied that the works were behind schedule and said the planned timetable was being maintained. According to sources from his department, work to redevelop the square, which has faced "complexities" arising from archaeological finds, will be completed and open to pedestrian traffic before the Fiestas del Pilar, although the square will reopen before it is fully finished.
Meanwhile, Economy Councillor Carlos Gimeno accused the PSOE of "lying" and rejected the claim that the six closures cited could be linked to the works: four businesses had already closed before construction began and, according to the City Council, there is no evidence directly attributing the other two to the project.
Gimeno also focused on the aid figures. According to data provided by Zaragoza's government, seven of the 69 businesses in San Miguel Square and along El Coso have applied for the aid and demonstrated the losses required to qualify, representing around 10%. The councillor defended the position that public aid must be granted "rigorously, according to objective criteria and in compliance with the law" and criticized the PSOE for questioning its management, in a new political clash over works that continue to divide the opposition and the government.
