The regional government is to spend 76,000 euros on a publicity campaign to foster the speaking Catalan in public. The ministry of the presidency, headed by Pilar Costa of PSOE, is the wing of government overseeing this campaign, which is due to run from the middle of October to the middle of December.
This is not the first time that there has been such a drive. During the last administration headed by PSOE, a similar campaign was conducted in 2008. It consisted, for instance, of posters promoting the speaking of Catalan on the streets and in bars. This latest campaign, unlike the 2008 one, also has the support of Palma town hall and the Council of Majorca. Companies interested in tendering have until 3 October to submit proposals.
The campaign has to be seen in the wider context of the work of the government's Social Council for the Catalan Language, certain proposals from which have already caused some division among PSOE, Més and Podemos: specifically those regarding Catalan use by the private sector.
The Partido Popular has taken its time in raising objections and is now doing so. While supporting the promotion of Catalan, it is against any "imposition".
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If only Catalan, as it is being promoted, was actually the indigenous language of the Balearics! Mallorqui is being exterminated by stealth by its own government. Unbelievable!
The PSOE are more interested in confusing language issues than helping the less fortunate in society.
And in what way will this help promote the tourist Industry? The main economic driver in the Balearics, like it or not? Or help integrate non-Spanish residents? By all means keep Catalan alive in its various local formats, but don't force it on everyone and waste public money. It should be a personal choice. Castillian is still the official language of Spain and spoken all over the world. Keep the options open for the young people of this part of Spain too. Supposing if this policy was adopted in Cornwall, Wales or Scotland! Total chaos! Dont make it a political football....