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Mr. Vilafranca,

Following the protest organized by GOB at the Plenary Session of the Island Council, you made statements that hardly seem fitting for an institutional president.

It is likely that your words were influenced by the tension of seeing dozens of people express their disagreement with the proposals your team brought to the session. In any case, we would like to offer a few comments.

Your strategy of trying to shift the conversation away from the issue at hand suggests that your arguments in defense of your position were not particularly strong. Resorting to the worn-out claim that GOB is being used as a political tool by the left or that we failed to speak up on other issues only reveals unease in facing the real problem.

This organization has been working continuously in Menorca for 48 years, navigating governments of all political leanings. It is one of the island’s most socially rooted associations, and its approach has always combined both proposals and protests. That is how it has always been. And that should not trouble you.

Perhaps now that you hold public office, you should revisit the concept of democracy. In matters that affect the community, it is not only elected representatives who have the right to voice their opinions. Civil society also has the full right to participate in discussions, influence decisions, and, at times, attempt to overturn them. Your role is not to hinder this participation but to facilitate it. Do not be swayed by your voting ally, who dismisses all organizations that are not their own as mere “interest groups.”

We understand that your presidential agenda must be packed and that your mind is occupied with a wide range of responsibilities. For this reason, we will not hold it against you if you do not recall certain events of recent years.

But today, Mr. Vilafranca, the real issue at hand is the policy your administration is pushing to legalize large luxury villas built illegally on Menorca’s rural land—granting them privileged treatment that is downright shameful.

You attempt to justify this measure by expressing concern for modest countryside homes. But if that were truly your intent, you would not have introduced legislation that places no limits on the size of the buildings eligible for legalization. Do you really think people will not see through this maneuver? Many are outraged by the way this policy rewards violators.

You are fully aware that legalizing large properties will generate windfall gains that could reach millions. And on top of that, you are applying the principle of positive silence—if the administration does not respond, approval is automatically granted. But this rule applies only to those who built illegally. Those who apply for a permit to build legally do not benefit from positive silence; they must wait for an explicit response from the administration.

Mr. Vilafranca, this is not a matter of left or right. This is an issue of institutional ethics. This is a policy that discriminates against those who follow the rules. It creates incentives for new violations. It puts Menorca’s landscape at risk. Likewise, it serves no public interest. It is simply a favor to a select few.

If you are truly committed to policies that align with your stated principles, there are plenty of meaningful actions you could take. Menorca is falling behind in limiting tourist vehicles, and your administration is imposing the smallest fines on illegal tourist rentals—even when other islands, governed by your own party, have taken stronger measures.

Enforce regulations on excessive water use by large tourist gardens, as our aquifer reserves are needed for more critical uses. Introduce a tourist accommodation quota, requiring the removal of two old licenses for every new one granted. Scale beach parking areas to prevent overcrowding. Stop promoting summer tourism.

There is no shortage of pressing issues to work on together. Take the helm, and remember that the people of Menorca deeply care about their land.