On 19 August 2026, PSIB, MÉS per Mallorca, Més per Menorca and Unidas Podemos in the Parliament of the Balearic Islands requested that an extraordinary plenary session be convened. The Conseller for the Sea and the Water Cycle, Juan Manuel Lafuente, is to explain the dismissal of the head of the Dirección General de Costas y Litoral, Maria Joaquina Ferrer. The parliamentary groups have asked the Diputación Permanente, to convene parliament at short notice.
Ferrer was dismissed on 7 August 2026. The government justified the move by citing a deterioration in service quality on beaches – particularly on Formentera – as well as differences between Lafuente and the director. The Govern also appointed civil servant Joan Jaume Mulet as her successor. In the days after the dismissal, regional media reported allegations of political interference in the coastal administration’s professional decisions, particularly over permits for areas with sun loungers and parasols. A statement of support circulated by Ferrer and signed by 21 department employees emphasised the application of legal and professional criteria. Government representatives rejected the allegations; on Formentera, the island group Sa Unió denied pressure in connection with concessions.
The opposition groups say clarification is needed on a matter of considerable importance: the responsibilities of the Dirección General de Costas concern both the protection of the public beach and the economic interests of local operators. The dispute also comes at a time when the Balearic Islands repeatedly call for greater say in coastal matters vis-à-vis the central government. In recent months, Lafuente has repeatedly called for the autonomous community to have more influence over litoral matters.
The Diputación Permanente will now formally decide on the request; if it approves it, parliament will set a date. So far, there have been no judicial findings concerning the alleged interference, and the relevant claims should therefore be treated as attributed statements. Politically, the matter could put pressure on the government of President Marga Prohens. The government, for its part, stresses that the personnel change is intended to ensure the administration can act effectively and improve beach services. The Consell de Govern says the new official is expected to step up dialogue with the municipalities and operators concerned.
At its heart, the issue is the balance between legal certainty over concessions, protection of public assets and the economic importance of beaches in a tourism region. The requested special session would bring the opposing accounts together in plenary for the first time and publicly examine Juan Manuel Lafuente’s role in the coastal administration’s decisions.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).