Manuel Valls backs local vote on issues such as tourism and security

Former French prime minister and candidate for Barcelona mayor in next year's local election, Manuel Valls, has revealed some of his priorities for the city in an interview on Tuesday with the Catalan News Agency (ACN).

In the interview, Valls, who is standing in the election in May under the slogan 'Barcelona, European capital', was critical of his rival, mayor Ada Colau, accusing her of governing the city "with ideology alone," adding that Barcelona residents want "leadership."

Valls said he was open to holding the referendum passed recently by city hall, but challenged Colau's local government to include questions on security and tourism. "I'm interested in anything that is about consulting people and listening," Valls told ACN.

The ballot, which will be held before the end of 2019, but after the May election, will give Barcelona residents the chance to vote on two questions: whether the city's water services should be managed by the council, and whether a square should be renamed.