MANUEL VALLS, EX-PREMIER OF FRANCE: WILL BARCELONA BE THE GRAVEYARD OF HIS POLITICAL CAREER OR WILL HE BE ELECTED MAYOR AND RISE AGAIN? »

Valls is quite aware of the need to concentrate on local issues rather than playing on the sentiments of those against the independence of Catalonia from Spain. And his long experience in (French) politics will serve his mayoral candidacy well. But he's up against formidable rivals like the highly rated incumbent Mayor Ada Colau and Ernest Maragall, the "foreign minister" of a regional government that's acting up like the government of an independent republic . . . The upcoming municipal election in Barcelona promises to be quite exciting!