Mallorca housing pitch targets 105,000 empty Balearic homes
Mallorca’s capital, Palma: a coalition wants to put what it says are 105,000 empty homes across the Balearic Islands to use. Ara Més-Front Ampli’s lead candidate, Carme Gomila, set out the housing pledge on 6 November ahead of the 29 November general election. She says rising rents are forcing people to leave their neighbourhoods, while young people struggle to get a home of their own and families have to share.
The coalition wants to cap rents, limit home purchases by people who do not live on the islands and ban speculative buying. Its campaign slogan, Viure bé, viure aquí — “Live well, live here” — reflects Gomila’s argument that people should not have to leave the Balearics for a better life.
Gomila also called for stronger wages, pensions and public services, and limits on mass tourism. She said three in ten Balearic residents cannot afford even a week’s holiday, while one in four children is at risk of poverty.
The coalition’s Menorcan representative, Mateu Berenguer, wants funding and investment tailored to the islands, along with more say over decisions about their territory. He said the Balearics need a voice in Madrid that takes account of island life, tourism pressure and the housing crisis.
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com