Fever Isn't Such A New Thing - Elections in 2011

Election fever may be starting to take hold in the UK, but in Mallorca the fever is, as yet, just a mild sniffle. Regional elections for the Balearic Government do not take place till 2011, but plans are starting to be put into place. The greatest uncertainty surrounds the current president, Francesc Antich, who has been equivocal as to whether he will seek a further term. The good money, until now, has been that he will not stand again, and he has hinted that this might be the case, but his party - the PSOE socialists - would like him to and to continue as secretary-general of the party.

Whatever one thinks about Antich and indeed his socialist party, and whatever one thinks about his handling of affairs from the economic crisis to the corruption scandals, he has been a good enough president. More than this, he is one of the very few Mallorcan politicians who can be said to demonstrate anything like statesman-like qualities and genuine political maturity. His diplomacy and patience in dealing with the disruptions in government - none of them of his making - have been commented upon and been admired. He has also overseen a significant increase in the level of central funding coming into the islands for different projects. It was not, for example, his fault that one of the major projects - the rail extension to Alcúdia - was scuppered. He is dealt the hand he is dealt, one that pretty much any president in the Balearics faces - that of dealing with coalition partners and different levels of government that often have competing needs or which just act in a politicking manner.

The main alternative to Antich is the current leader of the Council of Mallorca, Francina Armengol. The fact that members of the Unió Mallorquina were prepared to resign from her administration does not fill one with great confidence; they resigned because they didn't get on with her. It might be argued that they - the UM members - did a touch of toy-throwing out of the pram, but the fact remains that there were tensions and still are, following their return to the fold. The ability to deal with different factions and parties is arguably the most important aspect of a prospective leader's CV, and Armengol has not proved that she can satisfy this demand.

Of course, even if Antich were to seek a further term, there is no guarantee that he would win it. However, the main opposition - the Partido Popular - is not in great shape, and there is a question mark as to who actually would be its presidential candidate. Nevertheless, the party is polling quite well, despite the corruption scandal involving the former PP president, Jaume Matas. The UM is most unlikely to offer a serious challenge, certainly not in light of the corruption charges and the decimation in its ranks. Perhaps the biggest potential pitfall for the PSOE would be voter apathy, a rejection of the political class as a whole and a vote against corruption, though this would be somewhat unfair on the PSOE which has not been caught up in the scandals.

One of the great advantages for Antich is that he is a member of the same party that rules in Madrid. A closeness to Zapatero can only work to Mallorca's benefit, but there must also be the possibility that Antich, who has already had an earlier stint as regional president, may have his eye on a central position. That would be Mallorca's loss but Spain's gain.

The race to next year's elections starts now.


(Since writing this piece, Antich has now announced that he will indeed be putting himself forward as a candidate in 2011.)


MORE SANT ANTONI INFO
On the WHAT'S ON BLOG is stuff for Sant Antoni in Alcúdia (Sant Sebastià as well) and in Muro - http://www.wotzupnorth.blogspot.com


QUIZ
Yesterday's title - Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiwcOaaRo1Y. And - Bryn and Nessa in "Gavin & Stacey". Today's title - from which famous song does this come?

Any comments to andrew@thealcudiaguide.com please.