Sparks fly as tourists tax is approved

There was a fierce exchange of words in the Balearic parliament yesterday, but the tourist tax bill was carried through and approved with the unanimous support of all members of the left wing/nationalist coalition with 31 votes in favour, despite the opposition Partido Popular's 26 votes against. However, the tourist tax may have been preliminarily approved in the Balearic parliament, but the war is far from over with a number of battles for the President of the Balearic government, Francesc Antich still to fight. The hotel sector is threatening legal action and last night central government in Madrid announced that it is launching an inquiry to establish if there are grounds for further legal action to block the charge. Should all attempts to stop the controversial and hugely unpopular levy fail, then the tourist tax could be introduced as early as the start of next year.