Political clash in Ibiza over the new rule to move the car every 72 hours

The Ibiza City Council has responded to criticism of the recent modification of the Municipal Traffic Ordinance, which will force parked vehicles to be moved every 72 hours, defending that the measure “is not a persecution of the citizen”, but a tool to “order parking” in a city where the pressure on available parking spaces is increasing.

The councilwoman responsible, Blanca Hernández, explained during the plenary session that the regulatory update aims to regulate in a “clearer, more effective and balanced” way the use of public space, especially in areas where abandoned or parked vehicles proliferate for long periods. “We seek to ensure that there are no vehicles on the road that do not have to be,” she stressed.

• How the new traffic regulations in Ibiza affect drivers: controls on motorcycles and stationary cars

Criticism from Unidas Podemos and doubts from PSOE

From Unidas Podemos, Councilwoman Guadalupe Nauda questioned whether the 72-hour limit is compatible with the Traffic Law and questioned its impact on neighbors: “It is a very short period of time for any citizen with a vehicle”. The formation also criticized that the ordinance “is not well drafted”.

The PSOE, which chose to abstain, expressed its concern about the practical application of the regulation. The councilor Rosa Rubio asked how compliance with the deadline will be controlled and how the imposition of sanctions will be legally guaranteed. The socialists also recalled that the municipal deposit is already saturated, which would complicate the management of the withdrawals.

Vehicle recalls, regulated motorcycles and faster action

The modification establishes that vehicles that remain more than 72 hours in the same spot may be removed to the municipal depot, reducing the current terms of up to 15 days. Hernandez defended that this “more forceful action” will allow to act with agility to abandoned cars and free up public space.

In addition, the ordinance incorporates a new section that requires motorcycles and mopeds to park only in designated and marked areas, a measure designed to prevent unregulated parking on sidewalks and in non-permitted spaces.

Regulatory change moving forward despite controversy

The City Council maintains that the new regulation has been prepared following technical and legal reports, and that the intention is not to punish, but to improve coexistence and mobility. The modification has been initially approved and must pass its public exhibition period before entering into force definitively.