27/03/2003 00:00
TW
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Photo: S.A. BALEARIC leader Francesc Antich yesterday said that it was “a shame” that laws such as the one on environmental evaluation or biodiversity had not been approved at the last parliamentary session. But he pointed out that a lot of progress had been made in this field during the legislation, and the outstanding bills would be debated after the elections. The law on the environment was not approved because the Majorcan Union (UM) party, which forms part of the ruling coalition, joined the conservative Popular Party in voting against it. Antich said yesterday that the UM should have supported this, and other bills, adding that the government had worked hard for them to be presented to parliament. At all events, he said, “dialogue and debate” continue and “we believe the laws can be approved during the months following the May 25 elections.” Antich admitted that the government would have liked “to have made greater progress” in protection of the territory during this legislature.


HOMEWORK
But he claimed that the government “had done its homework” by agreeing on the laws with the coalition parties, “even though they did not have the right majority in Parliament.” Among the advances he mentioned was the moratoria which have held up building and “prevented disastrous projects.” He also said that the natural spaces granted protection had been multiplied by six, a new water culture had been introduced and a new way of managing rubbish disposal was also in place.