The beginning of the legislature in the Balearic Islands has been marked by the political instability derived from the tensions between the Popular Party (PP) and Vox, without the implementation of effective policies to address urgent social problems, such as access to housing. This was pointed out by Lluís Apesteguia, leader of Més per Mallorca and mayor of Deià, in an interview granted to Mallorca Diario, where he analyzed the current political and economic context of the archipelago.
Tensions between PP and Vox without social advances
Apesteguia affirmed that the legislature had started off with some jolts due to the internal conflicts of Vox and its tensions with the PP, but that, in spite of this, the Govern had not presented significant policies in social matters. After eight years of progressive governments, the expectation of a radical change in public management had not materialized. In his opinion, measures such as the lowering of taxes and the Law of Administrative Simplification were insufficient to solve the housing problem or the necessary transformation of the Balearic economic model.
Early elections, an uncertain possibility
Asked about the possibility of an early election, he considered that this would depend on the evolution of the internal polls handled by the president of the Govern, Marga Prohens. If the PP believed it was possible to reach an absolute majority, he said, it could opt to call early elections. However, he considered it more likely that the Govern would complete the legislature, regardless of whether the budgets were approved or not. He also questioned the lack of contact between the autonomic Executive and the opposition parties to explore possible agreements, describing it as “unconsciousness”.
The PP and its relationship with Vox
From his point of view, the PP was making a strategic mistake by seeking agreements with Vox, a tactic that, in his opinion, harmed liberal and moderate conservative voters. Even so, he defended that his party was willing to support any measure that benefited the citizens without seeking to wear down the Executive, as they had already demonstrated in the case of the Sineu macro-farm.
Concern about the rise of the far right
Apesteguia also expressed concern about the advance of the far right in Europe, a phenomenon that, he said, needed to be confronted with adequate political responses to prevent citizen discontent from growing. He underlined the existence of a new profile of “working poor”, people with jobs who nevertheless continued to face economic difficulties. This reality, he warned, created a breeding ground for the rise of demagogic and populist discourse.
