At an extraordinary general assembly in Palma on Friday, the president of the environmentalist organisation GOB, announced her resignation. Other members of the board also resigned, Cuennet explaining that decisions were due to "the systematic opposition from the critical faction".
She denounced the "aggressive tone" of this faction, some of whom had referred to her and others as "flat-earthers". "The situation has been demoralising and has taken a great toll on me, affecting me personally. Presiding over GOB has been a privilege but also a nightmare."
Francesca Mas, one of the board members who resigned, said leaving was "a liberation". "But GOB is losing an opportunity." Pressure from the critical faction has led four employees to leave the organisation after years of service.
In very general terms, the resigning faction represents what is described to a more eco-social approach to GOB's efforts and international outreach, while the dissenting faction focuses more on traditional struggles for territorial defence and campaigns, although the outgoing board members stated that they had never abandoned these latter initiatives.
Cuennet added: "The dissenting faction presents itself as the saviour of GOB but has resorted to tactics that have led to my resignation and that of my colleagues. We couldn't leave in silence, and that's why we called this extraordinary assembly."
Employees spoke during the meeting, saying salaries hadn't been updated for years and there were unpaid vacations. "We have been shown a lack of recognition and contempt. We are stressed, burned out, we have lost our enthusiasm, and GOB is now the weaker."
The board of directors is now, therefore, in the hands of the dissenting faction. Elections are not currently planned, and the only option on the horizon is another assembly in December.
A month ago, Margalida Ramis, who was president of GOB up to 2024, announced she was leaving the organisation after 17 years. She said: "These are very complex times, marked by many changes that I'm sure will be for the better of the organisation."