Alfonso Rodríguez calls for a national housing pact on Constitution Day

PalmThe central government's delegate in the Balearic Islands, Alfonso Rodríguez Badal, called for "consensus" and championed "major agreements" in the face of challenges that "affect everyone, such as housing," during his speech at the institutional event for Constitution Day, held this Saturday at the Almudaina Palace in Palma. The main authorities of the Islands attended the commemoration of the 47th anniversary of the Constitution. Rodríguez Badal recalled that this year marks 50 years since the death of dictator Francisco Franco, which ushered in "a time of hope and optimism" thanks to the "courage" and "common sense" of all those who faced "an enormous challenge." He defended the Constitution as "a tool destined to endure" and "the key" to leaving behind "a period of darkness" and moving towards "a modern country."

Along the same lines, the president of the Balearic government, Marga Prohens, stated that "we celebrate the end of the dictatorship and the legacy of an exemplary transition of which we are heirs: the legacy of concord and understanding." She defended the Constitution as "the fundamental pillar of coexistence" and emphasized that it recognizes a "pluralistic and heterogeneous" society, while also celebrating democracy.

Both Rodríguez Badal and Prohens stressed that the Constitution enshrined the State of Autonomies and linguistic pluralism, and warned against discourses that deny the legacy of the transition. Prohens cautioned against "attempts by some to rewrite history" and the instrumentalization of institutions.

Housing and financing

In the speech, reported by Europa Press, Rodríguez Badal advocated for "an agreement like the one that made the Constitution possible" to address current challenges, among which he highlighted the need for a "social pact" to promote bold policies that guarantee "access to decent housing." He also called for a reform of the regional financing system. Prohens, the first president of the Balearic Islands born in democracy and "a daughter of the 1978 Constitution," expressed pride in the transition process and warned that only unity will allow them to face "population growth, access to housing, the quality of public services, the fight against inequality, the fight against climate change, and the transformation of the Balearic Islands." Both the government delegate and the president expressed their rejection of gender-based violence and remembered the latest victim in the Balearic Islands, a woman seriously injured on Sunday in Costitx.

For its part, MÁS per Mallorca, which has once again decided not to participate in the official ceremony, has stated on social media that "it's time to choose" the model of the State and has urged the people of Mallorca to choose between "repression and rights." The eco-sovereignist party posted a video on its social media profile this Saturday, accompanied by the message: "You decide what to celebrate."

In the video, MÁS per Mallorca argues that "it's time to choose" and urges the people of Mallorca to choose between "monarchy or Mallorcan identity, past or future, and repression or rights."

"You decide what to celebrate," concludes the video, which combines black and white images of King Felipe VI, former Prime Minister José Ramón Bauzá, and current PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo, alongside the founder of Alianza Popular, Manuel de Fraga, and judges on Mallorca Day (December 31st), which was attended by the coordinator of MÁS, Lluís Apesteguia; of children jumping on a beach; and of MÁS leaders demanding "an island minimum wage."

Mozart performances

Returning to the official ceremony, the event was enlivened by two performances of Mozart by musicians from the Balearic Islands Symphony Orchestra. Among those in attendance were the Mayor of Palma, Jaime Martínez; the President of the Council of Mallorca, Llorenç Galmés; the General Commander of the Balearic Islands, Fernando Luis García Herréiz; and the President of the High Court of Justice of the Balearic Islands, Carlos Gómez. In this edition, several prominent figures read articles of the Constitution related to freedom and fundamental rights. Socialist MP Mercedes Garrido read the preamble, substituting for Emilio Alonso, who was absent due to illness. Former Palma City Councillor and former Vice-President of the Parliament, Francisca Bennàssar, read Article 6, on the role of political parties; and journalist Contxa Rosillo read Article 20, on freedom of expression and information.

The general secretary of UGT in the Balearic Islands, Pedro Homar, was in charge of Article 28, on labor rights and trade unions, while Xisco Mellado, secretary of Institutional Participation for CCOO in the Balearic Islands, concluded his reading with Article 35, which guarantees the right to work and to a salary.