The ARA MÉS – FRONT AMPLI coalition has officially presented its candidacy for the upcoming general elections scheduled for 29 November. The coalition's primary aim is to ensure that the wealth generated in the Balearic Islands translates into tangible improvements in the living conditions of its residents.
Comprising eight leftist, ecological, sovereignist, and progressive organisations, the coalition has outlined a political agenda focused on three main priorities: ensuring access to housing, combating tourism overpopulation, and assisting families in making ends meet.
During the announcement, Carme Gomila, the coalition's lead candidate from ARA MÉS, emphasised the need for political representation that prioritises the everyday issues faced by citizens. “We live in islands that generate more wealth than ever, yet it is increasingly difficult to live here,” she warned.
Gomila highlighted the daily struggles many face in finding housing, making ends meet, and remaining in their hometowns. “It cannot be that living in our own homes has become a privilege. We cannot resign ourselves to this being the future for our children,” she stated, asserting that the coalition's priority is to ensure that the economic prosperity of the Balearic Islands directly benefits the population.
She called for a change in direction, insisting that the solution should not involve rolling back rights or continuing with outdated policies. “We need real changes that improve the daily lives of people,” she asserted.
Gomila explained that ARA MÉS – FRONT AMPLI aims to unite forces among organisations that share a common diagnosis and ambition for transformation. The coalition advocates for an economy that enables people to live with dignity through work, views housing as a right, and seeks a development model that does not force residents to leave their islands.
“We want islands where having a job allows you to make ends meet, where having a home is a right, and where no one has to leave because they cannot afford to live in their own house,” she stressed.
One of the central themes of Gomila's speech was the necessity for the Balearic Islands to have its own voice in the Congress of Deputies, capable of defending the interests of its citizens without being subordinated to the priorities of larger national parties. “We are a candidacy made from here, by people who understand the problems of our islands and do not need anyone from Madrid to explain what our people need,” she asserted.
Gomila also underscored the importance of having independent political representation in the context of the debate surrounding the utility of voting. “The usefulness of political representation is also measured by its ability to address real issues and find solutions,” she said.
She noted that the work done thus far has successfully placed the demands of the Balearic Islands at the forefront of national political discourse and advocated for this effort to yield concrete advancements.
Gomila highlighted the diverse nature of the presented list, which combines young individuals with experienced professionals. She made a special mention of Isidor Marí Mayans, who is at the bottom of the candidacy list.
Sergio Cerezo, the coalition's number two and representative of FRONT AMPLI, defended the track record of the coalition's member forces and recalled achievements such as increases in the minimum wage and pensions, free public transport, extended parental leave, and tenant protection measures.
Cerezo also pointed to the efforts of Vicenç Vidal in the Congress, advocating for fair financing, the special regime of the Balearic Islands, shared airport management, and restrictions on property purchases by non-residents. “It cannot be that the needs of the Balearic Islands are always subordinated to the priorities of larger national parties,” he cautioned.
Representing Sumar and FRONT AMPLI, Cerezo called for unity among progressive forces in the Balearic Islands in response to citizens' demands and stressed the need to expand social rights and improve living conditions.
Lucía Muñoz from Podem, who occupies the third position on the list, identified the cost of living, housing, and economic transformation as the main challenges for the next legislature. She advocated for better wages and pensions, tenant protection, and curbing real estate speculation. “We cannot accept that people who work here cannot live here,” she stated, while also calling for limits on tourism overpopulation and a fairer distribution of wealth.
The candidacy also emphasised its inter-island dimension and the need for tailored responses to the realities of each territory. Mateu Berenguer from MÉS per Menorca, who is fourth on the list, highlighted that the project shares common goals without compromising the unique characteristics of each island. He called for measures to mitigate the effects of double insularity, particularly regarding the cost of living, mobility, and air connections.
Mariví Mengual from ARA Eivissa, who is fifth on the list, warned against the contradictions of a tourism model that generates significant wealth but increasingly hinders residents from establishing a life on their island. She also highlighted the specific needs of Formentera, particularly regarding maritime connections and financing that considers its triple insularity.
The presentation concluded with ARA MÉS – FRONT AMPLI asserting itself as a candidacy built from the Balearic Islands, aiming to unite political and territorial sensitivities to advocate for an independent agenda in Madrid. As Gomila summarised, “We are not standing for election to resign ourselves to the current reality. We are standing because we want to change it and build a better future for the people of the Balearic Islands.”
