Més started life as a 2013 coalition between the PSM Mallorca Socialists and the Iniciativa Verds, whose own history had involved a split from the communist Esquerra Unida in 2010. The PSM (or PSM-Entesa to give the full name) had been founded in 1976. With a nationalist ideology, an environmentalist element was strengthened by the coalition. Hence why Més are often referred to as eco-nationalists.
Chief party spokesperson in parliament and also the mayor of Deia, Apesteguia has had to face questions arising from the revelation that Més spokesperson at the Council of Mallorca, Jaume Alzamora, sold his house to a German buyer. Alzamora was accused of hypocrisy, the ABINI association of estate agencies at the luxury end of the market, pointing to a Més stance against the purchase of homes by foreigners.
Apesteguia insists that Més have never spoken about "foreigners" when it comes to proposals for limiting the sale of properties. "We have always spoken about residents or non-residents. The European Union has told us that limitations (to non-residents) could only be temporary and subject to a particular objective. There is a possibility but we don't go into whether they are foreigners or not."
He believes that whether a buyer is a resident or non-resident is a key issue. "It is a complex problem but measures must be taken. An economy cannot be in constant growth, especially so where the territory is limited and is seen as conducive to speculation. The Balearic Islands are seen as a place for investment. This has attracted funds with the idea of doing business; this includes housing. The way forward was regulatory measures and more public investment. There was. It began (under the left-wing coalition government)."
Critical of the current government and its housing policies, he argues that "we are worse off". "It's a problem that doesn't only affect the Balearics, but is aggravated here because we are islands and a tourist territory. Measures had to be taken and those of this government go in the opposite direction to those that should be taken. It cannot take a decade to build VPO (a form of social housing)."
Coming back to the Alzamora affair, Apesteguia maintains that his colleague "defends what the party defends" with regard to non-resident purchases. The house in Arta was sold in June 2022 for 596,000 euros to a couple who are understood to have been residents of Mallorca. The sale followed Alzamora's divorce. Apesteguia stresses that Més proposals are "far from any kind of racism or xenophobia". "What we want is people who are committed to the well-being of the place where they live, who buy houses to live in."
Finally, and in more general terms regarding the government, he says: "It has not responded to the needs of the citizens. Prohens' honeymoon is over. She has to stop talking about the last administration; she will be judged by hers. People will want results beyond less taxes for the rich, children being admitted to bullfights, an amnesty on properties in the countryside and attacks on the language and democratic memory."
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More woke BS! When did the word "foreigner" become a dirty word!?!?!? I am assuming if you are a non-resident, the chances are you're a foreigner, surely!? Ridiculous! Rather than worrying about words, work on getting the problem sorted!
I seriously doubt it would make much difference. More likely make it even more attractive (and expensive). Supply and demand.
Berlingo'Sorry but 350,000 is not enough to buy a Garage in Palma ' Mine cost 18,000€ a couple of years ago.
You talk about the non resident as though it’s some type of desese if it wasn’t for the non residents the ferry company’s and Airlines would be Gone the non residents pay for all that , Spain receives massive Amounts of Aid from Brussels to help bussinesss in Mallorca particularly there is some speculation at the top end agreed but the locals are very much responsible for much of that it’s been like this for a very long time , Didn’t a MES party member just sell his place to a German for a nice profit ? Sorry but 350,000 is not enough to buy a Garage in Palma and prices will go higher !
Totally agree. Restrict house sales to non residents. At the moment anyone from anywhere can buy land and or a house in the Baleares. This has fuelled the incredible rise in house prices. Close to me a small country chalet with 12.000m2 land is on sale for 350.000 . Not long ago that would have been 100/150.000. 350 is an insane amount for what is on offer and totally beyond many young locals, the obvious clients for a property of this type. Incomes have been completely outpaced by the rise in real estate prices, it cannot continue. Non residents must be stopped from uncontrolled speculation.
So you can only come and live here, if you already live here? Sounds like Catch-22. And for how long previously? A week, a month, a year? I foresee lots of "rent before you buy" loopholes in sales contracts. The alternative is well-heeled buyers pricing locals put of the rental market, with apartments being emptied to offer short-term rentals to aspiring purchasers. Not-joined-up thinking.