Mallorca beach bar row as Balearic coast bill moves on

Mallorca, in Spain’s Balearic Islands, faces a fight over beach bars on protected shores: PP and Vox vote down a bid to send a Balearic coast bill back to the government in Palma on 10 November 2026. The Socialist PSIB warns that the draft could allow beach bars, sunbeds and parasols on beaches with special protection. The bill remains before the Balearic Parliament; those changes are not law.

What opponents fear for the coast

PSIB politician Mercedes Garrido also warns that coastal concessions could expand by up to 10%. She says the bill threatens Es Trenc on Mallorca. Her party argues that the draft favours private interests over the islands’ environmental needs.

MÉS per Mallorca says the bill does not tackle coastal erosion or rising sea levels, or do enough to ensure residents can get to the sea. Més per Menorca says it misses a chance to decide how the islands’ coast should be used.

Why PP and Vox back the bill

The Balearic government approved the draft on 25 June. It says the measures would protect traditional buildings by the shore, limit boat speeds and speed up certain procedures.

Vox says protecting beaches must be compatible with economic activity. PP politician Sebastià Mesquida says the bill would give affected local authorities a greater role in managing the coast. With the PSIB’s attempt to return it to the government defeated, the bill continues through parliament.

Topics: Sea & coast · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com