There was an overwhelming vote on Wednesday to take the debate forward to Thursday's session, during which the Partido Popular MEP from the Balearics, Rosa Estaràs, called for the activation of the EU's solidarity fund because of the human, financial and social consequences of Storm Gloria in the Balearics. "More than ever, this is the moment for the European spirit to be shown to Spain," she said, noting that the storm had produced waves up to fourteen metres.
"In the Balearics, houses, roads and promenades were battered. Ports were closed in Barcelona, Valencia, Ciutadella and Mahon. And most seriously, there were deaths and there are missing people as well as enormous damage." Estaràs identified Capdepera, Felanitx, Manacor, Pollensa, Sant Llorenç, Santanyi and Son Servera as having been the most affected municipalities. "We need to send a clear political message: to provide help to people who have been harmed and to demonstrate the spirit of European solidarity."
Also on Thursday, Spain's interior minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, visited Majorca and put the cost of damage caused by the storm in the Balearics at 16 million euros. This was, he said, still only an approximate valuation.
Meanwhile, the search is continuing for David Cabrera, missing since Monday last week, and for a Briton who disappeared in Ibiza on the same day. The Guardia Civil said on Thursday that the mountain rescue and diving units were still looking for the two people.
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The reason that Spain in in the EU is to receive funds in time of need after disaster weather and the resulting damage the problem is when your politicians create unlawful things such as the tourist tax this complicates that and will cause pushback from other countries so you cannot have you cake and eat it too .