Earlier today at the head offices of the Consell de Formentera, President Alejandra Ferrer spoke to islanders gathered for the 41st anniversary of the Spanish Constitution.

Ferrer highlighted progress and growing participation among islanders, saying they “want to be a part of the political decision-making process on their island. Young people, too, want to be part of it”. She described a future that was “sustainable, where the rights of the child are paramount, where parents can balance work and family, but above all, a future where our children have the chance to enjoy the planet as we’ve been able to”, reasoning: “This is why environmental and social policies must anchor efforts at every level of government”.

Dedicated senator
Underscoring the current need for certain constitutional reforms, Ferrer held up one move in particular which she described as “vital” for Formentera: “the modification of article 69.3, recognising Formentera residents’ right to elect their own senator”. That petition, part of a long-standing appeal, was put before the Spanish congress on 2 November 2018. As Ferrer pointed out, however, the request has been held up since the start of the current legislative term. “So it’s time to make our voices heard about this most basic of rights”, she said, calling such a change “a new stage in the evolution of Formentera’s autonomy, and one that will put an end to uneven national representation between the islands”.

Ferrer closed by insisting that Formentera in particular, and the entire Balearic region in general, “is waiting for recognition of and compensation for our circumstances as an island society”. She called for “a coordinated and efficient effort to meet our diverse needs while respecting the framework of rights and freedoms like the one we celebrate today”, she said.

Musical performance
At the event’s close, Clara Escandell and Jaume Ramírez, two students in the workshop on traditional music at the Formentera School of Music and Dance, performed the songs “Sa Curta”, “Sa Calera” and “Pàgines Enrere”.

6 December 2019
Department of Communication
Consell de Formentera

The environment and rural offices of the Consell de Formentera report that this afternoon, following a call from the Balearic government, members of the Island Waters Junta (Junta Insular d'Aigües) met for their first gathering of the legislative term.

Regional environment and territory minister, Miquel Mir, and the director-general of water resources, Joana Garau, chaired the meeting, which also saw the attendance of local environment and rural councillors Antonio J Sanz and Josep Marí as well as representatives from environmental groups, farmers and users of local irrigation and urban water grids.

Garau gave attendees an overview of the first part of a modified Balearic Water Plan (PHIB) for 2021-2027. Minister Garau pointed out that the document is currently available for public viewing, and encouraged administrations, industry actors and regular islanders to review it.

“Responsibility here cuts across the different administrations that are involved” said Garau, “and we can’t just be talking about the quantity of dessalinated water on each island —and Formentera’s no isolated case— but whether we can be storing it to satisfy local water needs throughout the year”.

For his part, Conseller Sanz said he hoped the gathering would facilitate discussion around “issues at both the dessalination plant and irrigation pond, so our two sister administrations can get to work finding solutions”.

4 December 2019
Department of Communication
Consell de Formentera