In Mallorca, the largest demonstration of this kind was in 2007 – around 50,000 people. While there have been protests since, the largest was just 3,000 in September 2017. But as the Canaries have taken to the streets, will Mallorca follow? The elements are not dissimilar, but they do differ. For example, socioeconomic conditions in the Canaries aren’t as good as in the Balearics; there is greater poverty.
Tourism is all year in the Canaries; there isn’t a low season, so the pressures never ease. Differences, but sufficient similarities to potentially provoke protests, especially as there is now no longer a government of the so-called progressive left, one now criticised by the usual suspects (e.g. the environmentalists GOB) for having indulged in smoke-and-mirror tourism policies. Perhaps so, but the left largely kept protest at bay, September 2017 excepted. Clavijo says there is a need to reset.
But how? There is a social malaise that runs deeper than merely blaming tourism – the structure of economies and deficient housing policies are clear conditions. Protest is possible. If there is, let there not be the patronising donkey-and-cart jibes. Dignity matters.
