Mallorca tourist overcrowding bid blocked by PP and Vox
In Palma, Mallorca, PP and Vox block a bid to reduce tourist overcrowding and visitor numbers across the Balearic Islands on Tuesday, 13 October. Their votes defeat every part of a motion put forward in the Balearic parliament by Socialist (PSIB) MP Llorenç Pou. The motion calls on the regional government to make its Sustainability Pact panel debate and adopt measures to ease the pressure from tourism.
Row over 544 public proposals
Pou says the panel has taken no action to curb tourist overcrowding. The Socialists also criticise the government for refusing to publish 544 proposals submitted by members of the public. Pou accuses it of using the pact to hold back a rise in the Sustainable Tourism Tax.
PP and Vox reject visitor cuts
PP MP Rafael Nadal says agricultural and coastal laws have gone through the panel. He rejects the suggestion that the government denies overcrowding, saying it has acknowledged that the Balearic Islands have reached their limit. Vox spokeswoman Manuela Cañadas argues that tourism should be managed rather than reduced, with local people put first.
MÉS per Mallorca and Més per Menorca back the motion. MÉS spokesman Lluís Apesteguia accuses the government of talking about restraint while pursuing growth. Josep Castells of Més per Menorca says the pact gave the government a pretext to oppose tourism measures. He also points to the 206,000 euros spent setting up the panel.
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com