Prohens asks Sánchez to reestablish relations with Algeria to stop the migration crisis

Immigration has become a “major problem” for more than 60% of the population of the Balearic Islands. For this reason, Prohens has requested the central government involvement to reinforce the surveillance system for the arrival of boats to the Islands from North Africa and a change in migration policy.

With its capacity at its limit, the archipelago is closed to accepting new deliveries of accompanied minors from other regions because, according to Prohens, “it is not a solidarity theme but of capacity.”

Prohens explained that the arrival of boats was an “anecdotal” phenomenon before 2016. Today they almost reach 4,000 immigrants so far this year and more than 400 unaccompanied minors. Child care services have an overcrowding of 850%, and more than 60% of the minors in care are unaccompanied minors.

Prohens has revealed another piece of information that Sánchez says he was unaware of: Formentera allocates 25% of its budget to addressing the arrival of irregular immigrants on the island. And Mallorca will have to resort to tents because has run out of spaces.

The forecast is that, if measures are not taken from the source and surveillance is increased, the Balearic Islands run the risk of ending up in the same situation as the Canary Islandsthe Balearic president has warned.

With a folder of data under her arm, the regional leader of the PP attended the meeting this Friday at the Moncloa Palace with another list of demands of the ‘Balearic agenda’, and has been able to start some commitments in a “cordial” conversation, although without specificity.

«On most issues we have decided to continue working. If it is with loyalty, without threats and with respect for autonomy“, to the island reality and to the Statute, they will always find us,” said Prohens, who asked Sánchez to convene the conference of presidents “as soon as possible” to address the issues that “affect us all.”

Prohens has reproached Sánchez for the agreement with ERC that grants “a ‘fiscal independence’ for Catalonia”, a measure that especially harms the Balearic Islands and that is rejected not only by his government but also by the economic and social agents, with whom he has met in recent years. weeks and that they have expressed his “total opposition”. “We do not want to be more than anyone in the Balearic Islands, but I will not allow myself to be less than anyone either.”

The reform of the financing system, which has been out of date for 10 years, is another “urgent issue” that the Balearic president wants to address multilateral form but “without breaking the common fund or the state of the autonomies.”

The Balearic president has recognized the good harmony with the President of the Government on two fundamental issues such as housing and mobility.

Regarding housing, Sánchez has committed to giving up public land in the Balearic Islands that can be used for build affordable homes and also for public officials who come to the island to work.

Likewise, as Prohens explained, both administrations want to find formulas to encourage rent long-term versus tourist. «It is not just about making a social housing policy, but a housing policy for middle incomes and young people. Hence the importance of limited-price housing,” stressed the Balearic leader.

In the last eight years, rental prices on the Islands have risen 83%, almost double, and It is around 1,500 euros on average. “We have also agreed that owners must be protected and there must be more legal certainty to encourage long-term rentals over tourist rentals.”

Regarding mobility, the president of the Government will study the recovery of road and rail agreements to “give a boost” to a «more sustainable mobility» through a mixed commission between both governments.

Sánchez has seen “with good eyes”, according to Prohens, the possibility of using the REB (Special Balearic Regime) for the process of transforming the economic model “based on our main industry, which is and will be the tourism sector.” The Balearic president has claimed that the Fiscal Regime for the archipelago has no expiration date and be permanent and, in addition, include fiscal measures to promote innovation as a lever for change in the economic model.

As the Balearic president explained, there has also been agreement in underlining the rigidity of the conditions in European fundsone of the permanent criticisms made by the Balearic Government to the distribution of money from the European Union by the central executive.

The Balearic Islands have also proposed to the Government of Spain to defend before the EU a European regime for the Mediterranean islands. “A demand from civil society to compensate for extra costs and compete on equal terms.” It demands “a dignified island status” and the updating of the residence complement for security forces and bodies, or justice officials. “A plus that has not been updated in 18 years and does not respond to the current cost of living, but which is essential to guarantee the templates.”