Més demands Palma Council for a shading plan within six months

The independentist party registers a motion for the Council to develop a shading plan within a maximum of six months, amid the heatwave.

The municipal group of Més per Mallorca in Palma City Council has presented a motion demanding the PP-led government team, headed by Jaime Martínez, to draft a municipal plan for shaded areas. The proposal, which will be debated in the plenary session next Thursday, July 30, sets a six-month deadline to identify priority urban routes and begin action.

Criticism of the PP's management during the heatwave

The party, with Neus Truyol as spokesperson, accuses the local government of failing to deploy any specific plan to address the high temperatures. According to Més, the City Council lacks a coordinated package of urgent measures to protect the population during extreme heat episodes. Among the shortcomings, they point out the lack of reinforced climate shelters and a public awareness campaign.

The independentists remind that during the last two legislatures, when they governed in coalition with PSOE and Podemos, the summer hours of municipal facilities were the same as the current ones. Despite this, they now demand extended opening hours for swimming pools, libraries, community centres, and day centres, as well as municipal parks.

“It is particularly concerning that the municipal government has given up on urban transformation policies capable of reducing the heat effect,” Truyol stated.

The Government's campaign is already underway

Interestingly, the information and awareness campaign that Més is calling for has been active for weeks, but not by the City Council, rather by the Balearic Government. Under the slogan Heat can be deadly, prevention is vital, the regional executive has launched an initiative aimed at the entire population of the Balearics to disseminate basic recommendations in the face of high temperatures. Més has not referenced this campaign in its motion.

For the citizens of Palma, Més's proposal represents a further step in the political battle over heat management in the city. While the local government defends that measures are already being taken, such as reinforcing the network of climate shelters, the opposition considers them insufficient. The motion will be voted on Thursday, July 30, and a tense debate between municipal groups is expected.

If approved, the City Council would have six months to compile a census of shaded areas and establish priorities for action. The plan would include everything from planting trees in streets and squares to installing awnings and pergolas in thoroughfares. The goal is to mitigate the heat island effect that many neighbourhoods in the Balearic capital suffer.