After months of tough negotiations and a significant delay, the conservative Popular Party (PP) and the far-right Vox party have agreed on the budget for the current calendar year in the Balearic Islands. This was announced by President Marga Prohens on Friday (May 30). The agreement, reached behind closed doors, marks a turning point in Balearic politics, as the PP has clearly acceded to significant demands from Vox.
Marga Prohens, who has led the government in Mallorca and the neighboring islands for two years, emphasized at a press conference the importance of ensuring “stability” for the citizens of the Balearic Islands. She spoke of a “readiness to reach agreements – not only on the budget, but on all initiatives,” and the “will to continue the change expressed by citizens at the ballot box.” Despite the complexity of the negotiations, as Prohens admitted, the necessity of an approved budget appears to have driven the government to far-reaching compromises.
Key Points of the Agreement: Language, Migration, and Historical Memory
Although the full details of the agreement are not yet public, some crucial points are already emerging where the PP has yielded to Vox’s demands. These concessions could have far-reaching implications for Balearic society.
Language: Spanish Strengthened, Catalan Questioned
A central point of contention and the trigger for the initial break between PP and Vox late last year was language policy. Now, an amendment to the Balearic education law has been passed, establishing Spanish alongside Catalan as a language of instruction. The aim is to “ensure knowledge of the Spanish language in the education system.” A particularly controversial point is the planned exemption of children from families temporarily residing in the Balearic Islands from grading in Catalan.
Furthermore, the use of the Spanish language in official communication is to be increased. The agreement stipulates that a lack of Catalan knowledge may no longer lead to disadvantages in public job tenders, especially for positions without direct public contact or in professions where there are difficulties in staffing. This development follows a recent Constitutional Court ruling that declared a similar measure in healthcare to be lawful.
Migration Policy: “Tough Stance” Announced
In the area of migration policy, Prohens announced a “tough stance.” The PP has accepted Vox’s demand to conduct “controversial dental tests” on migrants to determine their age. In addition, all support for organizations that “promote human trafficking or irregular migration” is to be halted. It remains to be seen to what extent this also affects NGOs that rescue people in the Mediterranean. Furthermore, plans are to be developed in cooperation with the island councils to repatriate unaccompanied minor migrants to their home countries.
Historical Memory: Repeal of the 2018 Law
Another sensitive issue is historical memory. The law passed in 2018 by all then-parliamentary parties for addressing the crimes of the Civil War and the Franco dictatorship is to be repealed. The PP, which was actively involved in shaping the original law, argues that this law is not a priority and that the law on the recovery of victims provides a sufficient legal basis for dealing with the past.
The Path to Agreement: A Complex Political Landscape
The agreement comes after a period of political uncertainty. Late last year, budget negotiations between the PP and Vox broke down because the far-right insisted on the abolition of Catalan preference in schools, which the conservatives rejected. Subsequently, the PP made half-hearted attempts to negotiate with left-wing opposition parties but soon made it clear that Vox was the only realistic partner for passing the budget. Initial agreements on tourism and housing policy in April were already seen as a sign of a possible budget agreement.
The current agreement shows that the PP is willing to make significant concessions to Vox for political stability and the passage of the budget. This could profoundly shape the political landscape of the Balearic Islands and further fuel the debate on language, migration, and historical reappraisal.
