Minorca.Speaking in Minorca yesterday, Bauzá criticised the way that his predecessor, Socialist Francesc Antich had handled public funding.
In particular, Bauzá made reference to the outcome of an agreement with Central Government for Majorcan Railway construction in which the Islands have only received 57.5 million of the 443 million euros which were promised back in 2008.
This was typical of the way that the Central Socialist Government under Prime Minister José Luís Rodriguez Zapatero functioned, alleged Bauzá. From now on, he said, Spain will have a responsible government which won't commit to anything it can't pay for.
The President added however, that regardless of the political colour of Central Government, the Balearic government would continue to defend the interests of the Islands.
Next year's budget
Bauzá emphasised the fact that the regional budget for 2012 doesn't include any funding that the Balearics may - or may not - get from Central Government. There is as yet no information on what we can expect from Madrid, he said.
Bauzá pointed out that he had urged Central Government to set up a Financial Policy group but the proposal was unsuccessful.
The President spent the morning at the offices of the Council of Minorca meeting with representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and the island's jewellery and shoe manufacture sectors. Bauzá was able to hear for himself the needs of local industry and what proposals they had for their economic future. Funds are needed to promote manufactured products internationally.
Bauzá said that he would discuss the needs of Minorcan businessmen at a meeting next week with his Finance Minister Josep Aguiló.
Speaking of public transport on Minorca, Bauzá said that the Balearic government was currently looking into difficulties that had arisen on the island after the decline of bus and coach service frequencies. Some public services are not going to be sustainable in the current economic climate, he said. Meanwhile, President of the Council of Minorca, Santiago Tadeo said that the Council were having to find 1.8 million euros in next year's budget to pay for the excessive spending on transport of the previous Socialist government.