Fury has erupted in Majorca as its famous beach bars are under increasing threats by the EU.
The EU has issued another warning to the country about its coastal businesses over alleged breaches of EU law.
The European Commission warned the Spanish government again that the method used to approve concessions was not in accordance with EU law, claiming it lacks the necessary transparency required by EU regulations for the use of public land.
Sources from the central government’s Ministry for Ecological Transition say that the usual procedure in Spain is made up of an application of intention, which leads to the opening of a public consultation period of 20 days.
With that period, any parties who are also interested in the space can also opt to set up at the site.
Now, the Spanish government only has two months to debate the sanctions that they may be faced with. If not, the case will be taken to the Court of Justice of the European Union, which will decide whether or not the procedure is appropriate.
Unease is now mounting among Spain’s business community and tourism industries who heavily rely on the attractiveness of beach bars to draw in visitors.
Any possible sanctions will dramatically affect Spain’s coastal regions impacting the livelihoods of beach bar owners and tourists looking for a plate of tapas and a pint along the beach.
Manuel Villafaina, president of the regional federation for beach traders, discussed his position on the accusations made by Brussels.
He said: “It is quite the opposite: the Ley de Costas [Spain’s national law on coastal use] already includes the element of competition and anyone can opt for it.”
“The problem is that we have been dealing with these case files for ten years now, they have been delayed for a long time despite the facr that we have done everything we can to bring them to a successful conclusion. The regional and central governments are not reaching the necessary agreements.
“It is barbaric, the [central] government cannot say that is is going to pass fines on to the Junta because it has the powers; it is necessary to continue processing the paperwork and not to stop for something that is not even law, and that could take several years in the EU court. Let’s see how central government responds now…”
