<![CDATA[Ara Balears in English - Protection]]> 10 <![CDATA[All of Mallorca will be a city: the model that is destroying the island]]>

The entire island of Mallorca will end up being a large city. I first heard it about thirty years ago, and I couldn't say from whom. A spokesperson for GOB? A professor from the Department of Earth Sciences at the University? A militant from the PSM? It doesn't matter now.

]]> <![CDATA[We protect today, we secure tomorrow]]> From the Government of the Balearic Islands, we want to start with a clear statement: we reject the conflict in the Middle East and firmly desire a swift resolution that ends a situation that causes suffering and instability worldwide.However, while this scenario persists, we have an obligation to act. Because, despite the geographical distance, the effects of this conflict are already being strongly felt in the Balearic Islands, especially through the increase in costs and economic uncertainty.From the first moment, the Government has responded with responsibility and dialogue. We have analyzed the impact of the situation and, above all, we have listened. We have met with social agents, with economic sectors, with island councils, with town halls, and also with parliamentary groups. We have done so with a clear will for consensus, because, in moments like these, it is essential to give shared responses.As a result of this work, we have approved Decree-Law 1/2026, with a package of measures that mobilizes more than 160 million euros to protect the economic fabric of the Balearic Islands. A package designed to act quickly and effectively in an exceptional situation.These measures are structured into five large blocks. Firstly, we are mobilizing 75 million euros in credit lines to guarantee the liquidity of companies and self-employed individuals. Secondly, we are allocating 36.75 million euros in direct aid to the most affected sectors: 13.5 million for the primary sector, 9.75 million for transport, and 13.5 million for industry, construction, and commerce. And we have introduced a deduction so that this aid remains exempt from taxation in personal income tax. Furthermore, the amounts are expandable according to the development of the conflict and take into account the double insularity of Menorca and Ibiza, and the triple insularity of Formentera.Thirdly, we are implementing measures to streamline administrative processing and ensure that these aids reach their recipients as quickly as possible. Fourthly, we are promoting fiscal measures with an impact of 4 million euros to alleviate the burden on families and businesses. And, finally, we are allocating 45 million euros to the review of public contracts to adapt them to the current increase in costs, thus ensuring the execution of infrastructures and the maintenance of services.As we already explained, the first impact of the price increase is felt by economic sectors. That is why it was essential to act with them. We also understand that this is the first step so that this increase does not reach families. In any case, we have already started working to promote social measures, listening to entities and seeking the maximum agreement in the coming days.This package of measures is also a necessary response to the inadequacy of the decisions adopted by the government of Spain. The state measures have overlooked a fundamental reality such as insularity. It is not the same to face a crisis from a continental territory as from an archipelago, where the costs of transport and energy have a much higher impact. This is the result of approving measures without previously listening to the autonomous communities or the economic sectors, which is what the executive of Pedro Sánchez has done.Therefore, from the Government of the Balearic Islands, we have assumed our responsibility. We have acted with speed, with dialogue, and with determination, and we will continue to claim the necessary compensation so that the Balearic Islands are not harmed.We are living in a complex moment that demands institutional stature and capacity for response. Today we protect our economic fabric, we protect jobs, and we do everything possible to contain the impact on families.Because protecting today is securing tomorrow.

]]> <![CDATA[Prohens announces program to protect the sea after reducing a marine reserve]]>

Marga Prohens announced on Monday the Balearic Islands Marine Conservation Plan, committing to increase tenfold the area of ​​high protection in waters under regional jurisdiction, reaching 500 square kilometers by 2027, specifically within Cabrera National Park, and up to 600 square kilometers by 2030. The president noted that before the reformulation promoted by the central government, the area was known as the Toro and Les Malgrats Island Marine Reserves. The government reduced the total area of ​​the reserve but increased the previously planned high protection zone. "We lost in quantity, but gained in quality," acknowledged sources involved in drafting the Plan. They also consider Prohens' intention "good," although they admit that "the government's general policy has been to reduce marine protection."

]]> <![CDATA[Neoliberal plunder]]> To welcome tourists to the point of exhaustion and to do business, speculate, and sell off natural, cultural, tangible, intangible, real estate, material, common heritage… whatever it may be, and at whatever social and ecological cost.

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