Socialists say new Tourism law is a step backwards

Socialist MP Joana Barcelo, a previous Balearic Tourism Minister, said that there was real concern that so-called “improvements” in tourist resorts were infact sounding the death knell for the environment.

During her time as Minister, Barceló had herself put forward proposals for change of use of tourist establishments but it had been defeated by PP votes.

She said that the government should think hard about the consequences of what she described as a “game of Monopoly.” Meanwhile, Socialist leader Francina Armengol said that present Balearic President José Ramón Bauzá had converted the public sector into a “job destruction machine” through his trimming down of government posts and enforced austerity measures.

Armengol said that seeing that there are serious levels of unemployment in the region, what is needed is an emergency plan to create jobs rather than eradicate them “as President Bauzá appears to be doing.” Armengol said that the President knew very well that restructuring the public sector wasn't going to create jobs. Bauzá said his party was committed to galvanizing the economy and claimed the PP were “deceiving no-one.”