Mallorca: Colau wants 10% tax for owners of over four homes

Mallorca housing takes centre stage: Ada Colau calls for an annual 10% tax on owners of more than four homes at a rally in Sant Jeroni square, Palma, Mallorca, on Sunday, 8 November. About 300 people attend the Ara Més-Front Ampli event ahead of Spain’s 29 November congressional election. Colau, the former mayor of Barcelona and lead candidate for Frente Amplio, says she wants to make the right to housing a reality, not become prime minister.

Homes and the cost of living

Colau promises a package of housing laws. She says most people on Mallorca work, while a minority see the island chiefly as a place to make money.

Carme Gomila, Ara Més-Front Ampli’s lead candidate, says rising living costs and property speculation are pushing more residents out of their towns and neighbourhoods. The coalition also wants to limit property purchases by non-residents.

A warning to the PSOE

Colau says housing and tax policy have until now been the responsibility of ministries run by the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE). She accuses the party of backing away from confrontations with powerful interests and major property speculators.

Gomila says her coalition will not offer the PSOE unconditional support in Madrid. If it wants her backing, she says, it must show through its actions that it is willing to change course.

Colau says Frente Amplio stands at 8% in the polls. She argues that reaching 10% could take it from eight seats to 22, and hopes to turn the polls around before the vote.

Topics: Housing · Politics · Palma

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com