Majorcan Union holds the key to Palma

PALMA
AS in the municipal elections, the Partido Popular was the most voted in Palma, with 46.03 per cent of the votes, which was enough to give them 14 councillors but not the 15 needed for an absolute majority, which means that Catalina Cirer will have to make a pact if she wishes to continue to rule without problems or try to rule in a minority.

The second most voted party in Palma was the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSIB-PSOE) with Aina Calvo at the head of the list, who netted 35.41 per cent of the votes, giving them 11 councillors, two more than in the last legislature.

The Bloc per Palma left-wing coalition won 8.20 per cent of the votes and two seats (at the last elections, two of the members of the Bloc running separately, won five seats between them).

In one of the biggest surprises of election night, the Majorcan Union (UM), who had no councillors on the outgoing council, now has two seats, having won 6.62 per cent of the votes giving them the key to who rules in Palma.

Cirer lost 4'423 votes, compared to the 2003 elections, while her nearest rival, Aina Calvo, recovered 9'300 votes.
Cirer has already gone on record as saying that she will leave the city council if the PP should decided to make Miquel Nadal, who headed the UM list, Mayor as a result of a pact.

WILLING
Calvo, for her part, said that her party was willing to run the council and form a socialist majority, but stressed that her party would not cede the office of Mayor to any other party.

Cirer admitted that the results had not corresponded to the expectations created within the party, but she congratulated her rivals, particularly the UM “who have gone from no councillors to two.” After thanking “the nearly 66'000 people who have voted for me,” Cirer commented on what would happen over the next few days. “The future is uncertain and it is necessary to reflect. It cannot be said that there is a Mayor and we will have to wait until the investiture on June 7.” The PP has ruled Palma with an absolute majority for the past 16 years, and the new situation could alter its future plans.