Balearic drivers pay through the nose

Drivers in the Balearics are still paying the highest fuel prices, especially for unleaded petrol, in Spain, and last month fuel prices went up across the country, in stark contrast to European Union neighbours. A litre of unleaded in the Balearics is currently fluctuating at around 135 pesetas, the highest in Spain and economists are worried that a fresh escalation in fuel prices could be around the corner. Last month, the cost of a litre of super rose by 0.30 per cent and unleaded by 0.58 per cent while across Europe prices fell by 0.89 and 1.06 per cent respectively. The new figures will make harsh reading for the Balearics, especially the transport, agriculture and fisheries sectors which last summer mounted a series of protests over rising fuel prices and have received assurances from the local government that solutions will be found. But if prices continue to escalate, the Balearics may see a repeat performance of last year's protests.