Two hot topics at present, it is perhaps no surprise that the citizens of the Balearics should rank excessive tourist numbers (especially in summer) and unaffordable prices for buying or renting a home as their two main concerns.
These are findings of a survey by the Balearic Institute of Social Studies, which ranks low salaries third among the islanders' concerns.
The lack of qualified and poorly paid jobs is the fourth most common problem, followed by overdependence on tourism and problems of coexistence caused by illegal holiday apartments. In tenth place is traffic congestion.
Asked whether they believed there is a solution to the problem of access to housing, 57% said yes. As to whether they believed that the Partido Popular government was correctly addressing problems facing the people of the Balearics, there were more or less even splits in opinion in Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza. Formentera, with 46% no, 34% yes and 20% don't knows, was the only island where there was a clear no.
In terms of political parties, 73% of PP voters believed that the government was addressing problems correctly. This was down to 45% for Vox voters, 16% for PSOE and one per cent for Més.
Conducted between May 13 and 17, the survey was of 1,300 people - 600 in Mallorca (300 of whom were in Palma), 300 in Menorca, 300 in Ibiza and 100 in Formentera.
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RedbaronThat's right turn the argument around and blame the locals for clogging the roads on their way to work. What selfish nonsense! These local people earning an honest living are not the ones who are guilty of clogging the roads to Soller every day for 6 months of the year. Or, clogging the streets of Palma on their mindless guided tours. Or, buying up all the cheap houses in our villages so that prices are way out of reach for local families earning average local wage. There needs to be more respect and sympathy from MDB readers for the very real problems that the local working people face.
When I drive to work 80% of the cars have only one occupant, just funny how the tourist is blamed, the local family next door using 4 cars. Who sold all the property's and land to the foreigners Maybe the fault is with the locals
Bit of common sense. Limit cruise ships. Amend the legislation protecting squatters (and criminal gangs), thus encouraging landlords. Limit bed numbers on the island (yep, don’t let the TUI and co CEO’s swamp the island) and take control of the airport. It’s not rocket science. The government have made moves in the right direction - but Vox is poison and sadly, using its position to block sensible moves. It may take something drastic - like another election??
Nothing Available but everyone seems to find something really this whole Discussion is about PALMA ! There are too many people living in Palma Welcome , Welcome , Welcome Everyone from everywhere ! Now you have it !
I have been going to Majorca for 40 years and have two holidays booked for this year. Although I have sympathy for what the locals are saying I am not the reason things are what they are and I must say that the couple of times I was there last year you could tell that the attitude of a minority towards the brits was changing. I hope to continue visiting Majorca but in all honesty I am considering going elsewhere. As regards the overcrowding on the beaches I can honestly say that unless you are in somewhere like Cala Dor with its small coves and beaches I have never had a problem especially in Palma Nova with its 3 large beaches even in the height of summer. We need you as much as you need us so let common sense prevail.
Nothing like stating the obvious.