Who is Pere Sánchez?
Pere Sánchez is a young politician who recently appeared on the political scene in Mallorca. His name sounds similar to Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, but his ideas and background are quite different. He also reminds some people of Hungarian activist Péter Magyar, who challenged a long‑time leader.
What Does the Coalició per Mallorca Want?
The group calls itself a Mallorca‑wide movement, not a traditional party. It brings together people from various political backgrounds—left‑wing, socialist, regionalist, and republican groups—to pursue a common goal: protecting the island’s resources and quality of life.
Key Demands
- Limit immigration: Stop the influx of new residents from both northern Europe/U.S. and southern regions like Africa and Latin America.
- Prioritize locals: Give preferential access to public services (healthcare, education, housing) to those who have lived on Mallorca for more than eight years and speak the local languages.
- Create a Mallorca police force: Unlike the Basque Country or Catalonia, the island currently relies on Spain’s national police and local town patrols. A dedicated island police would better address local safety concerns.
- Abolish incentives that attract newcomers: Remove any benefits that encourage people to move to Mallorca.
Education and Health Under Strain
Sánchez argues that schools can no longer integrate students from all over the world effectively. Teachers report overcrowded classrooms and difficulty providing individualized support. In healthcare, doctors and nurses warn that the system is close to collapsing under the pressure of a growing population.
Housing Affordability
Many Mallorcan families say they can no longer afford to buy or rent homes in their own hometowns. Rising demand from newcomers drives up prices, making it hard for locals to find affordable housing.
Tourism – A Double‑Edged Sword
Tourism is a major part of Mallorca’s economy, but Sánchez believes it contributes to population growth and strains public services. He proposes:
- A “demographic pause”: Temporarily slow the arrival of new workers needed for the tourism sector.
- Cut tourist capacity by 10 %: Reduce the number of hotel beds, rental properties, and tourist attractions to lower the demand for seasonal labor.
- Develop other industries: Encourage growth in sectors like technology, renewable energy, and local agriculture to diversify the economy.
Economic Relief for Residents
To ease the cost of living, Sánchez suggests lowering the value‑added tax (VAT) from 21 % to 15 %. He insists that Mallorcans are still welcoming and supportive, but the island must protect its own residents first—hence the slogan “Mallorca primero” (Mallorca first).
Conclusion
Pere Sánchez and the Coalició per Mallorca are calling for stricter controls on immigration, better services for long‑term residents, a dedicated island police force, and a more balanced approach to tourism. Whether these ideas will gain enough support to become policy remains to be seen, but the debate highlights growing concerns about how rapid population changes affect everyday life on the island.
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Images Credit: www.mallorcamagazin.com