The PSIB-PSOE has proposed 15 urgent measures to address the demands raised by over 20,000 people, according to National Police estimates, and 50,000 according to organizers, who took to the streets of Palma on Sunday in what was described as a “historic” demonstration. The protest was organized by the platform ‘Menos turismo, más vida’ against tourist overpopulation, with support from more than a hundred organizations.
During a press conference, the spokesperson for the Socialist Parliamentary Group, Iago Negueruela, emphasized the unprecedented nature of the protests against the government of Marga Prohens in its first year. He pointed out that people who participated in the recent demonstration “do not believe in the president or her now-broken pact with Vox.”
Negueruela urged Prohens to “listen to the streets” and to clarify her plans while stressing the need for immediate action. He criticized the government’s contradictory stance, saying that while they claim to be making efforts, their actions tell a different story. He argued that people want solutions now, not in two or three years. In his view, the administration’s decision to place general directors with questionable qualifications in charge of working groups for the Social and Political Pact for Economic, Social, and Environmental Sustainability is misguided.
He stated that it is crucial to implement measures rather than conduct further studies or analyses. To this end, the PSIB will propose 15 urgent actions to respond to the protest’s demands. Among these proposals are limiting housing prices, halting the controversial rural land “predation” decree, toughening regulations against excessive tourism, and maintaining the cap on cruise ships at Palma’s port. These measures aim to promote sustainable tourism, starting with the recently enacted tourism moratorium.
On social issues, Negueruela criticized the Popular Party (PP) for dismantling worker protections in their plan to combat labor precarity, urging for those controls to be reinstated. He expressed willingness to liaise with the Spanish government to revitalize efforts in this area, highlighting the absence of development regarding the social aspects of tourism legislation.
Catalina Cladera, the Socialist spokesperson at the Consell and secretary general of the Socialists of Mallorca, echoed these sentiments, expressing her belief that “the people spoke clearly in the demonstration.” She emphasized the urgent need for the PP to listen and take action in confronting the issues of tourism overpopulation and housing accessibility. Cladera questioned the whereabouts of Galmés, the president of the Consell, alleging that he remains silent on critical issues while being constrained by a pact with Vox, which opposes sustainable policies.
Cladera demanded decisive action from Galmés, critiquing his reliance on a burdensome study that has delayed concrete solutions. She pointed out that Mallorca faces unprecedented traffic issues, attributing these problems directly to Galmés’ year-long governance. Cladera also condemned the decision to scrap the Palma tram project, which had funding, and questioned the lack of financial backing for the Llevant train project as well as the absence of a genuine commitment to public transport.
She called for immediate suspension of the urban “predation” decree, which, in her view, represents a significant threat to rural land by facilitating the legalization of over 30,000 illegal homes and promoting speculation that worsens the housing crisis.
In terms of tourism management, she criticized the current government’s inaction regarding illegal accommodations and proposed enhanced oversight and inspection measures. Particularly, she emphasized the need to uphold protective measures for the vulnerable Serra de Tramuntana region, a UNESCO World Heritage site, urging the PP not to permit vacation rentals there.
In Palma, Socialist spokesperson Xisco Ducrós urged the city mayor Jaime MartÃnez to take immediate action against tourist rentals in single-family homes. He highlighted the critical issue of housing accessibility, advocating for Palma to be declared a “stressed zone.” Ducrós recalled calls for the allocation of 20 million euros to directly purchase residences as part of a housing solution.
He also stressed the importance of improving citizens’ quality of life, criticizing MartÃnez’s opposition to projects like the Palma port expansion and urging him to reconsider his plans for terrace expansions.
Lastly, Ducrós pointed out the lack of initiatives to enhance public services, such as transport, urging MartÃnez to convene the Social Council of the City to address Palma’s tourist saturation problem.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/espana/agencias/2024/07/22/psib-propone-15-medidas-urgentes-para-dar-respuesta-a-manifestacion-historica-contra-masificacion-turistica/
