Mallorca airport bill: MÉS demands veto is lifted
Mallorca's airport co-management bill is stalled in Congress after Spain's government blocked it from moving forward. MÉS per Mallorca spokesman Lluís Apesteguia urged Balearic president Marga Prohens in Palma on 4 September to join the opposition to the veto. The regional parliament approved the proposal several months ago.
The Spanish government says the measure would cut income for airport operator Aena. It argues that the shortfall would then need to be covered by the State Secretariat for Transport and Sustainable Mobility.
Apesteguia said MÉS was deeply angered by what it sees as an attempt to undermine Balearic self-government. He called on the government and Tourism Secretary of State Rosario Sánchez to withdraw the veto immediately so Congress can consider the bill.
Tuesday vote in Congress
Apesteguia also asked Prohens to press the four PP members on the Congress bureau to join two Sumar representatives in voting next Tuesday to start the legislative process.
He did not disclose Prohens's response. But he said she had assured him that airport co-management still has the backing of the Balearic government and the PP on the islands.
Apesteguia said MÉS no longer trusts the Spanish government following police action at a demonstration against tourist overcrowding. He warned the PSOE that disappointing parties which helped secure the government's investiture could make a Feijóo-Abascal majority more likely.
Housing and further powers
At the meeting, Apesteguia also called for non-residents to be barred from buying homes. MÉS says the move would curb speculation and keep housing for people living on the islands.
He also raised tourism-reduction measures, more devolved powers including justice and migration, and the new regional funding system. Apesteguia said it brings the Balearics more money but leaves the islands in a worse relative position because they contribute more and receive less back.
Topics: Protests · Tourism · Politics
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com