WHAT IS EPORE?
Do you live in Spain? Do you want less bureaucracy, better living conditions, the return of the Residence card, or more help for your business? Do you feel frustrated that it's just you against the Spanish system? Well, you are not the only one! That is why was Europeos Por Espana (EporE) was created.
EporE is an association of ordinary people who wish to improve the rights and living conditions of ALL nationalities living in Spain. It aims to act as a lobby to give ALL residents a voice for change.
It was founded in June, 2009 by a group of individuals in Mallorca with the aims of lobbying and uniting for real action and real change. The association is a voice for residents to be heard and many voices are louder than one.
Lots of people say "Oh, I don't get involved in politics", but then wonder why they have to put up with things that they don't like or agree with. If you really want to change certain things then join with others who feel the same way. Join EporE and have your say!
TOURISM DEBATE
The latest forum meeting of EporE was well-attended with approximately 100 people turning up to discuss the state of tourism in the Balearics. After one of the quietest winters on the island for the industry in memory the subject was one close to the hearts of EporeE members and supporters.
The speakers were Sr. Pedro Iriondo, President of the Mallorca Tourist Board, Peter de Reus, General Manager of Hotel Bendinat and Paul Randall of Altura Destination Services. Some of the many topics covered included the need for reasonably priced and frequent flights to the island, all-inclusive hotels, internet bookings and the budget for marketing and promoting of Mallorca in the tourist industry.
Reaction from EporE members has been collated into a report which will be formally presented to the Balearic Ministry of Tourism, with the request for a meeting with the Minister, Sra Barcelo, to discuss its content in detail, and what she proposes to do about a number of matters it contains. The meeting and its conclusions will be reported back to members.
EporE plans more open debates in the coming months and invites members and non-members to attend. The next one will be this April on the subject of flights to and from Mallorca and the operations of the airport. Major industry figures will be invited to be the guest speakers and everyone is invited to attend. More details to follow.
RESIDENCIA CARDS PETITION
We have now collected in most of the petitions. If you still have any that have not been collected please contact the secretary
This is an ongoing battle so we would like to continue collecting signatures. You can now do this online by clicking HERE.
Soller Road Show
First things first. Sincere thanks to Anna Nicholas and Michel Taymans for their invaluable help and a heartfelt ‘muchos thankyous’ to Andres Gilabert for arranging for us to have use of his superb Gran Hotel for our meeting, not to mention laying on a continuous and uninterrupted supply of cocktails and finger food in the gardens where the ‘Road Show’ continued under a typical Summer Soller star lit night sky.
NAUTICAL TOURISM
The Nautical Tourism debate was held on June 25th in the Salon de Actos of the Chamber of Commerce in Palma. The packed audience heard speakers from the nautical sector as well as the Euro MP, Antonio Lopez. The press and television were well represented so this won't be the last you hear on this subject!
KATE'S CORNER
Click here to read Kate's Corner
Further Electricity Increase Frozen
For over a year Europeos por España has been bemoaning the disgusting Electricity price rises forced on us by the P.S.O.E. Zapatero Government whilst lobbying the Partido Popular opposition to take some action and, at the very least explain their head in the sand approach to a problem which has killed hundreds of businesses and brought misery and despair to innumerable households when Spain is immersed in the biggest financial meltdown of modern times.
Better late than never on Friday 25th June 2010, the Government and opposition Partrido Popular announced an agreement to work to form a pact regarding ‘energy’ and initially to negate the proposed 2% plus increase planned for 1st of July. Further the ‘to be formed’ commission will study the entire gambit of energy, present and future. Whilst the Minister of Industry, Sr Miguel Sebastian and Partido Popular Economy spokesman, Sr Cristobal Montero were careful not to rule out possible future increases this is a least a step in the right direction. It does not however excuse the obscenity of an increase in real terms of 35% in electricity costs which we the consumer have suffered to date nor does it put a brake on the 2% IVA increase lurking round the corner. Whilst this positive action at least puts a temporary halt to the endless escalation of electricity bills it is nowhere near good enough. Electricity is not a luxury especially in the midst of an economic and ever growing social crisis!
Unsurprisingly your caring friendly local electricity company led the screams of horror from suppliers Spain wide who it appears are up to their necks in debt and terrified that the commission might create uncertainty. Sad eh!