Mallorca school meals: PP and Vox block hearing
School meal provision at more than 40 Balearic schools is under fresh scrutiny after PP and Vox rejected urgent parliamentary hearings in Palma on Thursday. The PSIB had demanded answers over the cancelled Can Arabí concession for the school dining service. The party says affected families have no guarantee that meals will begin at the start of term with full health safeguards.
The opposition party wanted Health Minister Manuela García and Education and Universities Minister Antoni Vera to appear before Parliament. PP and Vox did not regard the hearings as urgent.
PSIB MP Patricia Gómez accused the regional government of hiding its representatives over what she called poor management during the summer. She also criticised García's wider handling of the health department, citing what she described as extreme pressure in the emergency units at Son Espases and Can Misses, as well as a shortage of technicians for oncology tests.
Her colleague Malena Riudavets called on Vera to explain why technical reports were allegedly not considered from the outset and whether there had been pressure to soften them. She said no school should be left without a meal service when term starts and that there should be no doubt over food safety.
Beach-lounger file also in dispute
The PSIB had also sought a hearing with Juan Manuel Lafuente, Minister for the Sea and Water Cycle, following the dismissal of former coastal director Maria Joaquina Ferrer. The party links her removal to a file concerning the installation of beach loungers on Formentera.
PSIB deputy spokesperson Marc Pons said Ferrer had allegedly refused to sign a file that could amount to misconduct in public office. He said 21 employees of the Ministry for the Sea and Water Cycle had signed a letter backing the dismissed director, praising her work as rigorous, responsible and focused on the public interest.
The PSIB says delaying action over the summer has worsened the Can Arabí problem rather than solved it.
Topics: Sea & coast · Health · Politics
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com