PALMA
THE Balearics is facing a winter of political discontent with coalition government member parties and the opposition warning that, with two serving ministers now implicated in alleged cases of corruption, the government can not continue to operate with two of its members under suspicion after Christmas.
This week, the Majorcan Unionist Party's Ministers for Tourism and the Environment, Miguel Angel Nadal and Miguel Angel Grimalt, respectively, were caught up in an investigation into the funding of a local television station and radio channel set up by the former UM-governed Council of Majorca during the previous legislature when Maria Antonia Munar was Council of Majorca President.
Now,the Speaker of the Balearic Parliament and the Honourary President of the Majorca Unionist Party, Munar has been summoned to appear in court later this month to answer questions regarding the TV station.
This is the second alleged scandal in which Munar has been implicated.
Last month she was summoned to give evidence in the alleged Can Domenge development corruption case.
The Tourism Minister has also already appeared before a Palma court to answer questions about his alleged involvement in the Son Oms property scandal in which the former Majorcan Unionist Party MP, Bartomeu Vicens is also implicated.
In fact, Vicens, a former Council of Majorca Planning Chief, has also been caught up in the Can Domenge investigation and earlier was suspended by the party, pending the outcome of the two investigations.
He currently sits with the rebel Mixed Group of MPs.
Yesterday, Grimalt categorically denied having ever misappropriated public funds and the UM's Deputy Mayor of Palma Council, Cristina Cerdó, admitted that her party was facing a very tough test but claimed it will come through tougher and stronger.
She also highlighted the fact that neither Munar, Vicens, Nadal nor Grimalt have been officially charged. Like everybody else, they're innocent until proven guilty, she added.