"At Jaume III they are right-wing and the Mallorcans, from the PP"

PalmaThe success of the PP in Jaume III does not surprise the neighbors at all. The Popular Party swept this neighborhood with 60.2% of the votes (648) in the 2023 general elections. “People here are right-wing, and in general, Majorcans are for the PP,” summarizes a civil servant. “We like order,” adds a young man. It is difficult to locate residents of the area, which is heavily frequented by tourists and customers of the shops. Behind the avenue that gives the neighborhood its name, crowded with pedestrians and cars, the streets are quiet and sparsely populated.

Despite being one of the most central and sought-after areas of Palma, with an average income of 94,592 euros per household in 2024 according to the National Statistics Institute (INE), the neighbors point to housing prices as one of the main problems in the country. Sources from the Balearic PP assure that, at the beginning of Marga Prohens' term, the party had already detected this discontent, along with that caused by mass tourism. The PP is closely monitoring the evolution of one of its electoral strongholds.

“Housing is really screwed up,” expresses a retired engineer leaving his building entrance. He believes the solution to this involves voting for the PP, which advocates for liberalizing land and building. “If they then make a pact with Vox, that’s their business,” he opines. A 25-year-old architect agrees with the diagnosis. “Pedro Sánchez’s government does not promote the private economy: it burdens those who contribute and puts obstacles in the way of business initiatives,” he explains: “Currently, bureaucracy makes it very complicated to obtain licenses to build apartments and houses.” Although he voted for the Populars in 2023, he is now doubting whether to switch to Vox. “The PP is too lax, it doesn’t promote the ideas of the past,” he explains. “Uncontrolled immigration is not good,” he continues: “What is our future if we sell out our culture?”.

Even though I found some PP and Vox voters, it is hard to gather more testimonies from those willing to openly express their political preferences. Numerous residents consulted by ARA Balears have declined to make statements, even anonymously. “This is an affluent neighborhood, but there is a lot of hidden voting,” interprets a civil servant in the area. He is torn between PSOE and Ara Més-Front Ampli. He points to a terrace full of people: “Statistically, more than half must be right-wing, but many wouldn't admit it.”

A block away, an 80-year-old former civil servant carrying shopping bags claims she would vote for “anyone except Pedro Sánchez and his henchmen.” “They aren't telling us the truth, and if you don't believe it, look at what happened in Ceuta!” she laments. She believes the PP wins in the neighborhood due to the economic and “cultural” profile of the residents: “People who have a bit of common sense cannot vote for Sánchez.” Nor is she worried that Feijóo might need Vox to govern. “Those on the left should keep quiet, because the PSOE has made deals with EH Bildu,” she retorts.

Among the left-leaning profiles, there are two civil servants who are doubtful. “We must defend public services, the Administration, and think about everyone's well-being,” argues the first, a middle-aged woman: “But I am also very disappointed with the left, which is so divided... It doesn't deserve our vote.” After reflecting out loud for a few minutes, she has finally convinced herself: “I will cast a blank ballot.” The second, who is 30 years old, faces a similar dilemma. “Regarding housing, the proposals made by the left seem too exaggerated to me, while, on the other hand, I think that in the eight years they have been governing, they haven't done much,” she argues. But she is worried that Vox might reach La Moncloa: “Because of their discourse on equality, above all.” To prevent that, she will go vote.

“I will opt for the PSOE, and my family is of the same opinion,” points out a more convinced 83-year-old former cook who lives on Carrer de la Protectora: “I am not doing it for me, but for my grandchildren.” Although “Sánchez has done things wrong,” she believes that “what Vox implies is going backwards.” She puts her hands to her head at the possibility that the far right might repeal the Abortion Law. “Before, those from good families would go to London and then to mass, and the others would not,” she criticizes: “Women must decide about their own bodies!”. She also denounces the collapse of the healthcare system. “I pay for private insurance and they don’t call me when they should, and I have acquaintances to whom Son Espases has sent them to the private sector,” she explains: “What I believe is that there is a lack of personnel.” She says goodbye in a hurry, because she is just running late for a doctor's appointment.