Street drinking to be tackled, affirms Mayor

THE Mayor of Palma, Catalina Cirer, yesterday said that she will not give up the possibility of passing a new law during this legislative period, which will regulate “botellón” (the drinking in the streets on Friday and Saturday nights, especially on Paseo Maritimo in Palma). She added that whilst there is not full agreement by all political parties, Palma City Council will take all measures possible to combat this problem.
During a press conference Catalina Cirer stated that the town council has not changed its opinion on this matter.
However, the Councillor for Urbanism, Rodrigo de Santos, said that Palma City Council has not planned “to put a ban on these street parties”.
In response, the Mayor said that it is difficult to reach an agreement with all parties.
She added that the process of talks that have already started on this matter are “open” to all, and are waiting for a regional law to be agreed. Palma City Council “can not give up” on the process that the councillor for health, Marina Sans, is carrying out, she added. In addition Palma City Council can not stop applying all measures necessary, in respect to cleaning, noise and preventing alcohol consumption. However the socialist group are accusing the right-wing party (PP) of changing “their opinion and criteria every day” on establishing and carrying out a law against these street parties. This party also criticised the affirmations by the councillor for Urbanism and added that the Government promised to set-up a law against “botellón” last August. The Balearic Family Association (AFA) also asked Palma City Council “to stop alcohol consumption by under age drinkers in local places and on public roads”. This group thinks that “botellón” does not cause a lot of noise problems, or indeed litter or road safety issues, but it does think that Palma City Council “has the right to take on the family role” and in this way be responsible for under age drinking. On different matters, the Mayor, Catalina Cirer, promised to look into increasing civil servant wages.