Just after the announcement of the sweeping victory of the right-wing ´Popular Party´ in the Balearic election which will take over power from the former ´green-left coalition´ we sent out an email asking for the opinion of the local marine industry regarding the elections.
The overwhelming response was that, this change of Government will be an ´improvement´ for the local marine industry.
Below are some additional comments to the questionnaire.
´Hopefully positively as they are more sensitive to the yachting communities requirements and high-end tourism in general. We may see a limited number of berths being approved.
They will certainly try very hard to attract the America´s Cup to Palma which is already drawing attention to yachting and its needs in a big way. I would also envisage greater support for events like the classic yacht regatta Trofeo Almirante Conde de Barcelona which the coalition Govern turned their back on completely´. Kind regards Jonathan Syrett, C&N
´I would imagine positively in as much as right wing = Good for business, however right wing Mallorcan = good for Mallorcan business which may be something entirely different´! Anon.
´I don´t believe anyone with more than half a brain could do anything apart from applaud this swing towards PP. The thing is though, it is not enough. PP will have to pact with nationalist parties to govern, so we still have the problems related to Catalan becoming the dominant language and the opposition to motorways and desalination plants and marinas. Calvia will still probably stay socialist, as Najera will let UM have the mayor´s seat in return for not looking at the last 12 year´s accounts! UM could do the same deal with PP which is much closer to their political ideals so you have to wonder what the side deal is! Sorry I am rambling, to answer your question - Positively´. Kind regards - Dave Routledge Diverse Yacht Services Marine S.L.
´Just a comment to make.
It is a shame that Mallorcans, as I always said (as a Mallorcan myself) most of them have lost their identity.
If I lived in Madrid and had my business and interests there I´d vote PP, lived in Galicia, vote a Coalition Gallega or a nationalist party of the area, live in Barcelona vote ERC, and in Mallorca PSM- those are the ones that will look after the interests of the island because they are here.
I take my hat off with the Basque people. Generalisimo Franco Aznar is trying his best, using the excuse of the terrorism (what bullshit) to exterminate any kind of nationalist party that gets started there, why, they got majority like no other place in Spain. What do they have, control of the tax and everything without having to ask Madrid for any approvement. We should have this here in the Balearics, most of our money goes to the mainland and none comes back. Voting for a local party with a local set up like PSM, we would get the same benefits in a long term. PP has got such powerful marketing that can make people believe that elephants fly.
Here´s an example- I´m sure you have received a letter from the tax office that thanks to them you are not paying IAE anymore, ok you are saving say in Palma, 210 euros/year. But soon you´ll be paying an increase of social security - euros 30 per month, in 12 month 360. Thanks Aznar.
Anyway didn´t want to bore you. I’ve got to go and do some more work before Madrid needs some more of my money´!
Take care, Seb, Spraypoint
´At last, with the self-interested loonies gone, we might just get the environment that we need to run a business in. At least it´s worth hoping for´! Anon.
´1. The PP have said they will correct the down turn in tourism. They must be reminded that one of the largest sectors of the Balearic tourism is people connected to boats. They are also part of the up market tourism that is often talked about as more desirable than the cheap package tourism.
2. Every other Spanish "coastal" local government is planning to cope with the demand for berths. After 12 years the PP had best get to grips with the problem here.
3. The foreign vote was important to the PP, especially in Calvia. A lot of those foreign voters are in or connected to the marine industry´. Anon.
´Without a doubt the long term effects of the change of Government will be positive for the Marine industry in the Balearics, but don´t expect this to happen overnight´. Anon.
´I hope it will be positive - more positive than before surely.
In past the emphasis seems to have gone to the cruise ship business and in upgrading hotel tourism.
I cannot see any big immediate change taking place though.
The biggest plus would be if the government bodies would be positive and give a realistic bid for the America´s Cup to come to Palma.
That would give a huge boost to the pleasure yacht business with enormous spin off also to hotel and every other tourist trade on the island. It might also kick start, the very much needed, lifting of barriers for new marina berths´. Simon, Berthon Spain
´With the current freeze on building new marinas the outgoing administration has potentially stunted the growth for near future of mega-yacht industry. Hopefully these war-happy right wing bastards will at least recognize the income potential that our industry brings to the islands´. Anon
´We hope it will be positive with their stated, outward looking pro European policies, but only time will tell. You ought to get a comment from Mr. Bertarelli to see if it will affect his thoughts about holding the AC here, as if that happened it would make a huge difference for the industry here´. Roger, E3 Systems Group