Like two peas in a pod (in stature)

I am quite perplexed by the spectacle of recriminations between the PSOE and PP regarding port policy in the Balearic Islands, because this war of mutual accusations is only succeeding in demonstrating that their port policies are exactly the same. Every new headline generated by their squabbles sheds light on the shameful shortcomings of their equally disastrous management, a blatant antithesis of what public policy should be in any area: safeguarding the general interest and preventing public assets, in this case the ports and the waterfront, from becoming a casino.

Let's begin. A Socialist MP requests the appearance of the current Ports Minister to report on some works carried out in the port of Fornells. Works that were done... when the Socialist MP was the Ports Minister. Perfect: this request was guaranteed to backfire. As expected, the Government's audit reveals what happened: that these works, planned and executed by the previous administration, behind the backs of the local community, have ended up causing a sensational problem in Fornells' sewage system. The shit's coming to the surface, and that's no metaphor.

It seems that with this attack, they wanted to use the platform to accuse the current councilor of having a conflict of interest regarding the processing of the ports law, because his family is involved in the nautical business. Now it makes a bit more sense. The Popular Party's defense became increasingly pathetic, arguing that the amendment to the ports law was an initiative for the nautical sector, not for the governing party. Come on. As if we didn't know that backroom deals and shady dealings aren't cooked up in broad daylight, but rather with discretion—that is, with the opacity with which these kinds of things are done.

Then the controversy surrounding the Cala en Busquets marina in Ciutadella arose. Once again, it was a project initiated by the previous Balearic Islands government against the wishes of local residents and without consulting the town council. But when the government changed, the new Ports de les Illes Balears team, now led by the People's Party, decided to push ahead with the same project. This operation, both under the Socialist Party and now, is designed to put more boats on the water, increase nautical pressure, and generate profits for concessionaires who, as always, will raise prices to make a fortune and drive out local berth holders.

And what about the infamous little boathouses? When the People's Party was in opposition, they were up in arms every time the Coastal Authority (Madrid, under a Socialist government) threatened to demolish a boathouse or a slipway. Now that Coastal Authority responsibilities belong to the Balearic Government, the new coastal administration maintains the same voracious appetite for the people who, perhaps for generations, have owned a boathouse, with a sickening greed. The owner of a small boathouse on the north coast of Menorca tells me that he's now being forced to demolish part of the structure because the boat is small and doesn't need all the space. It's always the same: hyper-vigilance and pressure on the small businesses, and great advantages for big businesses—always the same ones, regardless of who's in power.

All of this has a common denominator: for far too many years, the port authorities, both the state-owned one (APB) and the regional one (Ports de les Illes Balears), regardless of the political party in power, have ceased to function as public companies whose democratic political control ensures the public interest. These port entities have become corporations that operate independently and ruthlessly plunder the port's public domain. The waterfront belongs to all citizens, but the port authorities have seized it and sell it to the highest bidder, generating exorbitant profits for nautical companies that only seek to maximize their earnings, displacing residents who simply want to own a small boat, and carrying out projects with environmental impacts that are now outdated. They take advantage of the local councils, the residents, the moorings, the nautical sports clubs, and the traditional boat associations. They line their pockets and treat public assets as if they were a private hunting ground. Their boards of directors are filled with elected politicians, but they seem to have other worries that keep them largely inattentive to what's really going on. Regardless of who's in power, their port policies are virtually identical. And the port water is murky, oily, and of dubious quality.

Perhaps the whole charade of mutual accusations between the old and new port managers is just another piece of their favorite game: to bring to the Balearic stage the squabbles and toxic polarization of politics that take place in Madrid, blind to the damage they cause to the citizens who are the only ones who should be residents and not a VIP club.