Housing issues

PROPERTY developers in the Balearic Islands have joined the opposition against the regional government’s plans to restrict house sales on the islands for non­residents.

The Proinba association has lodged a report with the Govern stating that the proposal infringes European Union legislation and is not covered by Spain’s membership act.

According to Proinba, the measure could be considered “indirectly discriminatory” by benefiting Spanish citizens and harming those of other EU member states.

For it to go ahead, the Spanish government would reportedly have to prove that the measure is “essential” and that there are no possible alternatives to achieve the desired goal, ie making housing more available for local residents.

Furthermore, Proinba believes the move would not help tackle the problem of property speculation, and warns that other similar initiatives have already been rejected by the EU in other countries.

The developers requested that the report be shared with all parties in the regional parliament, who were debating housing issues this week, and called to be included in the negotiations.

RCD Mallorca football team took part in International Day Against Homophobia in Sports on Sunday February 19 by unfurling a huge rainbow flag in Son Moix stadium.

Players also took to social networks to express their solidarity and support with messages such as ‘We embrace diversity’ (in English) and ‘No to LGTBI phobia’.

Mallorca council leader Catalina