08/07/2007 00:00
TW
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by Staff Reporter

PALMA
FRANCINA Armengol, the new socialist president of the Council of Majorca, yesterday promised “dialogue” with all the political party, including the Partido Popular (PP).

She also promised her doors would be open for “the man in the street” and said she would revise the Territorial Plan covering development, throw out plans for Palma's second ring road and the Inca-Manacor motorway and approve a plan which will prevent the construction of golf courses which include a growth in residential and tourist places.

Armengol, of the PSIB-PSOE, is the first socialist to hold the post and she was elected thanks to the 17 votes of her party, Majorcan Union and the Bloc per Mallorca (Majorcan Socialist Party, United Left, Greens and Catalan Republican Left), who earlier this week voted socialist Francesc Antich as leader of the Balearic government.

The ceremony took place in the Council headquarters and was attended by around 400 people.
They included Antich, Maria Antonia Munar, who led the Council for the last 12 years and is now Speaker of the regional Parliament, Ramon Socias, the central government representative to the Balearics, and Mayor of Palma Aina Calvo.

Armengol thanked the left wing parties for their support, and announced her intention of “heading a modern institution which will be a reference point for all Majorcans.” She went on to say “I understand that this can only be done in one say: being attuned at all times to the heart beat of Majorcan society, being able to listen, seek and find the answers which Majorca expects.” She added that her personal commitment was to be “accessible to the man in the street.” Armengol said “I will preside a plural team, from which I will ask efficiency, intense activity, permanently in contact with society... We will act with humility, as public servants, and firmly.” She continued ”Commitment, transparency, dedication, effort, common sense and passion from today to the last day is what Majorcans can expect from me and my team.” The Council of Majorca has 16 PP councillors, 11 from the PSIB-PSOE, three from Majorcan Union and three from Bloc per Mallorca.