“STAND FIRM IN DIFFICULT MOMENTS...”

THE leader of the new Balearic government, Jaume Matas, reminded his ministers, who were sworn in yesterday, about their “great responsibility” in standing firm in “difficult moments”. Although such testing times are sure to be encountered, Matas encouraged the new appointees by saying that “we can help to overcome (these difficulties) through our work in government.” Following the swearing in of the 12 new ministers in their official positions in the Balearic government, Matas more specifically made reference to the Islands' loss of the leading position it held in areas of economy and tourism, of the “paralysis” it has suffered in establishing “social” infrastructure, and the “slowing down” in the creation of jobs. He said that it was a time at which “the levels of trust that the people of the Balearics afford in their future are currently at an all time low.” Because of this, Matas pledged that his “commitment” over the next four years is for him and his team to work with “complete dedication and in a spirit of wanting to do the best possible because a Government is only legitimate through service to the society that elected it”. “I pledge”, promised Matas, “that the new Executive will be unambiguous, and that the government will strive to be one of hope, dialogue, openness, consensus, initiative and tradition, with realistic targets that can be achieved”. The recuperation of “international prestige” for the Balearic Islands, to further sustainable economic development and to strive to ensure full employment, were objectives ratified by the new government yesterday morning. A little after midday yesterday, the new ministers were officially sworn in at the Consolat de Mar chapel, which is the central seat of the government Executive. Numerous leading figures attended along with members of the public. The government will be made up of 12 ministers, two less than in the previous Executive controlled by a Progressive Pact coalition.
Rosa Estarás will be the deputy leader, a political post that she will hold as well as that of minister of institutional relations, being responsible for internal government co-ordination. The ministry of tourism will be led by Joan Flaquer who will also act as Government spokesman. María Rosa Puig has been appointed minister for sports.
Francesc Fiol becomes the new minister for education and culture; Mabel Cabrer will take on responsibility for the ministry of public works; José María Rodríguez is appointed head of the civil service and minister of the interior; agriculture and fisheries will be led by Tomás de Villanueva Cortés, and Aina Castillo takes over the ministry of health and consumer issues. The new Cabinet is completed by Guillermo de Olives as minister of labour and training; Josep Juan Cardona as minister for commerce, industry and energy; the ministry of the environment is headed by Jaume Font, and Lluís Ramis de Ayreflo directs the ministry of the economy, taxation and innovation. Although these appointments took into account performance in previous offices, either public or private, Matas emphasized that these positions are neither “a prize” nor a “privilege”, and indeed, will demand from the title holders a total commitment to fulfilling these “enormous responsibilities”. Having named his team, Matas went on to say that “we have officially handed out the responsibility of government which has been decreed by popular vote at the ballot box”. The new Executive has a “great responsibility stimulating them into action; weighty yet motivating for which I wish them good luck”. Leading personalites of the archipelago's political, social and military society were united at the occasion: the Presidents elect of the Councils of Ibiza-Formentera, Majorca and Minorca, Pere Palau, María Antonia Munar and Joana Barceló, respectively. Miquel Ramis, the Speaker of the Balearic Parliament attended as did Angel Reigosa, the President of the Courts of Justice in the Balearics. Other guests included Llorenç Huguet, the President of Sa Nostra bank.