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Mallorca Politics Moves Back to the Left

All Change in the Balearic Parliament and Mallorca Council, following last months hotly contested elections, with the final pieces being put together to create a centre - left coalition. Following 4 years of Conservative rule both within the Balearic Parliament (Govern) and the Council of Mallorca (Consell) a three party alliance of centre left parties, including the Central Government Socialist party (PSOE), have taken control of the two main regional assemblies, as well as the Town Hall in Palma. Despite the Conservatives being the largest party they failed to obtain a majority and, following the acrymonius campaign, were unable to re-establish the coalition they had formed over the previous 4 years with the Mallorca Nationalist Party (Union Mallorquin)

The change is likely to have a very significant impact on future development plans on the Island with electoral promises including a halt to any new plans to expand existing marinas or create new marinas; a ban on any new golf courses that include complimentary uses such as hotels and or residential development; a review of the Territorial Plan for Mallorca and specifically all areas classified for possible future development; a ban on the conversion of old and redundant hotels into private residential accommodation; and a major reduction in the road building programme.

The practical impact is likely to be a very significant slowdown in new residential development and major commercial projects. While this change comes at a time when the market is beginning to slow, thereby benefiting from some supply side constraint, the real challenge for the new Government is to maintain the dynamic economy of the last 4 years but within a political and social framework based on the principles of sustainable development, corporate responsibility and transparent political decision making.  

While the Conservatives lost the elections due in a large part to accusations of unplanned development and corruption, the Socialists must now prove, if they are to deliver on their election promises, that they are not about to repeat the mistakes of the last Centre - Left coalition which effectively saw the Mallorca economy stagnate for 4 years.

Editorial Comment from Mallorca Property News: "we welcome any plans to stamp out corruption and control development based on the needs of a few rather than those of the wider economy and society. Equally however we urge those coming to power to maintain a forward thinking and dynamic approach to the economy thus allowing Mallorca to continue it's progress as one of Europe's most sophisticated yet also naturally beautiful destinations".

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