The left rejects the new anti-squatter office in Palma because it is a “whim of the extreme right”, declared the socialists and independence activists of Més in a press release.
After having rejected during the eight years in which they governed in coalition in the Municipal Council any initiative against illegal squats which have skyrocketed like the price of housing during the last two mandates, the partners then in government and now in opposition , They agree when it comes to opposing this municipal service.
A measure approved by the municipal plenary with votes in favor of the PP minority government and supported by Vox. Socialists consider this to be a “Worrying turning point in housing policy in Palma”, As the PSOE spokesperson told the city council, Xisco Ducros.
For her part, the spokesperson for the Més secessionists and former town planning and housing advisor, Neus Truyoldeclared that the opening of the new office is a “surrender of the PP and the mayor of Palma, Jaime Martinezto the whims of the far right.
“While this initiative focuses on a police response to the problem of squatting, The real tragedies for residents are speculation and exorbitant rental prices, which are pushing more and more families to leave the city,” he said.
In the same spirit, socialist spokesperson Ducrós considers that this new municipal body “responds more to a political slogan only an effective tool” and demonstrates the “zero interest” of the PP and Vox in “developing real measures to deal with the housing crisis that affects Palma”, after having governed for the last two mandates and without building a single social housing unit.
“With the new anti-squatting office, it is clear that PP and Vox are giving up on tackling one of the main problems of citizens with a comprehensive and effective project. Unfortunately, without concrete measures regarding the availability and access to housing, this initiative will only perpetuate the housing crisis in Palma,” said Ducrós.
The secessionist representative stressed the need to apply measures that “genuinely protect the right to housing”, because, according to her, “housing policy cannot be focused on the fight against squatting when speculation expels residents” .
“Palma needs effective measures regulate the market and ensure that everyone has access to decent and affordable housing,” he said.
Faced with soaring prices, Més per Palma proposes the application of LNational Housing Law Limits Prices rents in areas of high demand and low supply, they said this would “prevent prices from rising to levels that are unsustainable for families”.
To combat speculation, they propose the application of a tax on empty housing, with the aim of “promoting the placing of these properties on the rental market, by increasing the available supply and alleviating the pressure on prices “.
Likewise, they also propose creating a sufficient social housing stock to cover the needs of families with fewer resources or limiting the number of housing intended for tourist rental.
“Houses cannot continue to be a speculative asset. It is time to prioritize the well-being of its residents and make Palma a city to live in and not a space that is increasingly inaccessible to its residents,” concluded Truyol.
