Balearic leader rejects early elections

PALMA
BALEARIC president Francesc Antich said yesterday in a Parliamentary session that he had “no intention whatsoever” of bringing forward the date of regional elections.

Antich was responding to questions from Rosa Estaras, leader of the Opposition Partido Popular (PP) who had suggested that the present Balearic government was playing a “cat and mouse” game. She alleged that other members of the ruling Socialist coalition, including the left wing “Bloc” and Majorcan Unionist party, had said that “Antich was the only one who didn't want to go ahead (with early elections.)” Antich retorted that he couldn't understand why the PP were “complaining” because he and his team were working to consolidate self-government in the region, and that when the moment is right, changes in the Regional Statutes will be put before Parliament for debate and approval.