German official claims property sales to foreigners being curbed

A high-ranking member in the tourism department of German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's government claimed that the Balearic government is putting the brakes on property sales to foreigners. He was speaking on the Cope radio chain and said that the government of Francesc Antich was slowing down the sales of property to foreigners, especially Germans, as a political move to please a society which was becoming increasingly more critical of what it sees as “an invasion by European Union citizens.” The same sources said that this was not meant as an official complaint, but was merely “stating a fact.” The official said that the reasons for the brakes being put on did not respond to the behaviour of the real estate market, as there are still offers of property in the Balearics, and the demand by Germans is still there. The German executive told the radio station that it was “reasonable” and “understandable” to take steps to prevent the mass sale of island properties if it is felt that the percentage of land in foreign hands has reached a figure to cause concern. The official, who remained anonymous, said that at one time the island authorities favoured the arrival of German people and capital.