Mallorca protests put tourism at heart of 2027 vote

Mallorca’s summer of tourism protests is now turning towards the Balearic Islands elections in May 2027. Demonstrations, human chains, weekly outdoor suppers and protest graffiti marked the movement’s busiest season yet, led by a large march in Palma in late July. Activists from Menys Turisme, Més Vida say they want to keep the pressure on through the coming political cycle.

Guillem Colom Montero, a Mallorca-born lecturer at the University of Glasgow who researches tourism’s impact on communities, calls this year the “summer of revolt”, following 2024’s “summer of protest”. He pointed to a demonstration in Sóller, Mallorca, and actions on Ibiza and Menorca, where he said the movement had not previously been as active as on Mallorca.

The Palma march drew tens of thousands of people. Colom Montero also highlighted an action at a cove in Illetes which campaigners said had been privatised by a hotel.

Housing and jobs drive anger

Colom Montero says the protests reflect frustration with problems that shape daily life. In his view, more people, including those in the middle classes, now feel the effects of mass tourism.

Jaume Pujol, a spokesperson for Menys Turisme, Més Vida, described it as the most active summer for both protests and direct action. He said the platform had taken part in every mobilisation and claimed the movement had faced arrests and police charges while being ignored politically.

Colom Montero expects street action to lose intensity in winter. But he says the difficulties of finding a home or a job will remain, keeping the argument over tourism growth alive across the Balearics.

Tourism set to dominate campaign

The next regional, island and local elections are due in May 2027. Colom Montero believes tourism will be one of the campaign’s central issues and expects some policies aimed at curbing growth to continue after the vote, even if only on a small scale.

The divide was already clear at the first plenary sitting of the new political year in the Balearic Parliament, the last political course before the elections. PSIB and MÉS per Mallorca urged measures to reduce tourism growth in response to social discontent, while Balearic president Marga Prohens defended her government’s policies of containment and extending the season.

Menys Turisme, Més Vida wants the call for less tourism to stay at the centre of the debate, whichever party takes it up. Pujol said the coming year was crucial for trying to influence what happens next.

Topics: Court cases · Protests · Migration · Tourism · Politics · Palma · Sóller

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com