Freedom in Mallorca
Parliament has just debated a proposal to restrict home purchases to non-residents. This initiative was particularly relevant given the dramatic housing crisis, and also somewhat unusual because, in times of chronic culture war, useful and concrete issues tend not to garner much interest. Political debate has long since detached itself from people's concerns and daily lives, preferring to roam comfortably in the dialectical stratosphere, which is more polished and requires little rigor or time.
However, the debate was short-lived. The parliamentary right, in all its forms, vehemently rejected the proposal in the name, of course, of freedom. How could we have missed that...
The illustrious Sebastià Sagreras put it perfectly: "We're not the ones to tell a private citizen they should sell their house." It's a bit of a thought to consider that, given his unwavering love for freedom and his proven analytical abilities, he might one day realize that perhaps we're also not the ones to tell people how and when to cross traffic lights, or how and when to dispose of their manure. Do we believe in freedom or not? No middle ground, man!
We live in a perpetual hymn to freedom. Sometimes it's Baleval – the car rental association – that takes it upon itself to champion it vehemently. In this case, the freedom to drive everywhere, anytime. Thanks to their staunch defense of liberty, the Consell will spend 1.2 million euros – our money, of course – to conduct a new load study of the Mallorcan road network, even though another one was already carried out – and paid for – in 2024, which is now dismissed as merely insufficient 'estimates'.
This way we guarantee we'll get through the legislative term in a convenient sequence: first, I need to position myself; I'll dedicate the first year to criticizing my predecessors; then I'll commission a study to buy time; I'll present it to the industry to muddy the waters; I'll conduct a second study to confirm whether there really are many cars in Mallorca or if it's just 'estimates'; things will 'get out of hand'... Just in time: we'll have definitely managed to avoid making any decisions. And, therefore, we won't have interfered with 'freedom'.
The 'Yes to Cruises' platform also bravely came to the defense of freedom, with the hyperbolic Alex Fraile declaring that this winter was "the worst in the history of the Canary Islands." Assisting her in her deregulation crusade is the ever-astute Carolina Domingo, president of Pimeco, who amusingly stated: "We live off tourism, whether we like it or not; if you don't like it, leave."
It is a true privilege to live in this free land that cannot limit rental prices, regulate home purchases, promote educational equity, or establish a maximum number of cruise ship passengers or rental cars.
Our libertarian authorities don't seem very concerned that this widespread deregulation will restrict citizens' access to fundamental rights like housing and education. For them, fundamental rights aren't about 'freedom'—the pretty sister—but about 'democracy'—the awkward sister—which isn't so exquisite and preeminent and, therefore, isn't a priority at all.
In this, Marga Prohens & Co. align themselves with the most blatantly post-democratic hordes, such as those inspired by Peter Thiel, the Silicon Valley guru who proclaims that "freedom and democracy are no longer compatible." Indeed: their idea of progress demands that the majority not interfere with the plans of entrepreneurial elites. First, the freedom of those who can afford it. Equity and equality of opportunity will have to wait.
However, President Prohens, always sensitive to the Balearic distinctiveness, introduces an innovative factor into this suggestive game of asymmetrical freedoms: the use of the island's own language.
In the Balearic Islands, we can't tell anyone how to get around, which school to attend, what they can do on rural land, or who they can sell their houses to. Such is freedom. But being able to use the local language in a doctor's office, or in a DIY store or a chicken shop, is another matter entirely. Here, we can tell people what language they should speak. And sometimes in a very rude manner.
The president goes even further and, in a triple somersault, ends up scolding those who dare to denounce linguistic discrimination: "You can't single out a business for the simple fact of not knowing how to speak Catalan."
In case Ms. Prohens has missed it, let me clarify that the complaints were never filed because the business "doesn't speak Catalan," but because they denied the customer's right to speak their language in their own land and demanded they speak Spanish to be served. Just in case you hadn't noticed, Madam President.