Pressure is mounting on the government to act on rising prices due to the war in Iran.

PalmThe draft law on accelerating strategic projects has become riddled with loopholes during its parliamentary process. Political parties have introduced, through amendments, legislative modifications that have nothing to do with the purpose of the law. Starting with the PP and Vox, who have taken the opportunity to include the limitation of access to guaranteed social income and the creation of the Anti-Employment Office which they agreed upon almost a year ago. In light of this, the left has also presented amendments on other issues, including various measures to address the price increases associated with the war in Iran.

With these proposals, both the PSIB and MÁS per Mallorca want to pressure the Executive to take action after the first vice president, Antoni Costa warned last Tuesday that the Spanish government and the European Union must do so first.Meanwhile, the increase in fuel prices particularly affects freight transport, agriculture, and the self-employed.

Since the start of the Iranian bombing campaign, the price of gasoline in the Balearic Islands has risen from €1.58 per liter to €1.83, an increase of 19.6%. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Natural Environment has detected price increases of up to 45.8% for agricultural diesel, with a 21% surcharge compared to mainland Spain, and a 60% increase for the fishing sector. The Socialist Party of the Balearic Islands (PSIB) has also highlighted the 31% increase in the cost of natural gas: from €39.50 per megawatt-hour to €50. The Socialists warn that this is affecting the cost of groceries: dairy products have already become between 5% and 7% more expensive since the start of the conflict. The Balearic Government has held meetings with representatives from different sectors throughout this week but has requested time before finalizing any measures.

Through amendments to the draft law on accelerating strategic projects, the PSIB proposes an investment of over €57 million to respond to the crisis. On the one hand, €10 million to compensate freight transport, which is dependent on fuel prices, with measures based on vehicle tonnage. On the other hand, an investment of over €30 million to compensate the self-employed, with aid of up to €400 per person.

The agricultural sector is at risk.

MÁS per Mallorca has also presented an amendment to protect the primary sector, with aid for agricultural and livestock producers so that the Government covers the difference in costs between agricultural and fishing diesel. It also demands that the Government cover the diesel costs for farms of agricultural and livestock producers with Common Agricultural Policy aid entitlements of less than €15,000 per year. Similarly, the PSIB proposes allocating €15 million to aid local products, as well as aid to compensate small agricultural producers for energy, transport, logistics, and fertilizer costs.