“SPAIN HAS TO REMAIN UNITED...”

.—The current Spanish Constitution is the fundamental law of Spain and was enacted after the 1978 referendum, as part of the Spanish transition to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975.

Yesterday both the President of the Balearics, Jose Ramon Bauza, and the central Government Delegate to the Balearics, Teresa Palmer, stressed the importance of the Constitution being respected because the Magna Carta "is what unites Spain, serves to create economic growth and is the foundation to democracy in this country," Bauza said in a speech to mark the occasion during a ceremony attended by local politicians and dignitaries at Almudaina Palace.

The President stressed that it is the Constitution which unites the country’s different regions "and that serves to enrich our culture which we need to protect for generations to come." But, referring to the equality and solidarity enjoyed between the various autonomous regions, Bauza said that the Balearics had been sold short by central government in next year’s budget and repeated his appeal for Madrid to review its figures and give the Balearics a fairer deal adding that he does not intend to give up until the region receives the consideration and funding it deserves. Palmer used her speech to stress the importance of trilingual teaching in schools underlining the fact that the three pillars of the Magna Carta are solidarity, the right to a good education and the right of assembly.

She also confirmed the latest reports that Spain is emerging from the recession and claimed that Spain will finally lift its head above the water next year.