Francesc Antich to stand for re-election next year

Balearic leader Francesc Antich will stand for re-election, having been proclaimed candidate by the PSIB-PSOE (Balearic Socialist Party-Spanish Socialist Workers Party). The elections will be held next year. Antich said that the socialists were bringing about “a calm but profound political change in the Balearics, listening to everyone and ruling and applying general interests.” He went on to say that after three years at the head of the Progress Pact coalition government “we can hold our heads high”, with a favourable balance, especially if compared with what the conservatives achieved in the four preceding legislatures. After being proclaimed the party's candidate, Antich made a 25 minute speech, listing the achievements of the Progress Pact led by the socialists and criticising opposition from Prime Minister José Maria Aznar and the central minister of the environment, Jaume Matas, a former leader of the Balearics.