ARCHIVED - Murcia and Spanish news round-up week ending 25th May 2018
Summer campaign begins in the Region of Murcia
On Friday the Murcia region launched its national summer advertising campaign, targeting domestic tourists under the banner of “The Costa Cálida makes you happy”.
The campaign focuses on the many activities available for visitors to enjoy, highlighting the “two seas” the region possesses (the Mediterranean and the Mar Menor), featuring the watersports, gastronomic traditions and products, sporting offering including golf and walking, cultural activities including the summer music festivals and cultural programmes, and the opportunities for relaxation and healthy pursuits on the many beaches and beautiful locations the region possesses.
The campaign is principally directed at the Madrid market, as this important region was the principal contributor to the 1.2 million domestic tourists who visited the region last year, and uses the public transport system to achieve high visibility via a campaign on buses and the Madrid Metro, accompanied by social media and media activity as well as a number of commercial agreements with travel agencies to directly book accommodation and travel packages.
As the heat begins to build up in the Costa Cálida – temperatures have reached 30 degrees on most days this week – things are getting hotter still for the Spanish government, which now faces a motion of no confidence.
This motion has been presented following the announcements of the verdicts and sentences in the “Gürtel” corruption case trial, which the opposition PSOE party says seriously undermine the credibility of the current national government and its President, Mariano Rajoy.
In the Region of Murcia, meanwhile, attention has been focussed on a variety of issues including the restoration project at the remarkable 12th century castle of the Moorish Wolf King just outside Murcia, the latest developments in the Mar Menor restoration project, more Portuguese men o’war being spotted in San Pedro del Pinatar and Calblanque and the arrival of the first immigrant boat in the Costa Cálida for three months. With summer starting and calmer conditions in place, it’s a fairly safe bet that it won’t be another three months before the next one arrives!
The mudslinging continues in Cartagena
The second demonstration in a series of four by residents of Los Urrutias, El Carmolí, Estrella de Mar and Punta Brava took place on Thursday outside the regional parliament building in Cartagena, where around a hundred noisy people gathered to give voice to their discontent regarding various infrastructural issues in their corner of the Mar Menor and complaints about the accumulation of sediments in an area which historically suffers from a lack of water current. This lack of currents and waves is one of the major selling points of the Mar Menor, which covers 170 square kilometres, but this corner is particularly vulnerable to an accumulation of sediment as the prevailing winds tend to drive straight into this corner.
As was the case last week outside the regional government in Murcia, Spaniards were joined by British and German residents as they deposited bags and crates of the offending waste on the pavement outside the Asamblea, vociferously demanding that more attention be given to their situation.
Over the last weeks there have been signs of progress in improving the infrastructures along this part of the shore of the Mar Menor. It is anticipated that the seafront walk between Punta Brava and Los Urrutias could at long last be completed before the end of 2018, and at the same time it appears that the construction of the first of five bathing jetties in the area is imminent, but these advances are insufficient to stop the protests by local homeowners and residents.
Agriculture and the environment
Pilot green filter construction under way in Los Alcázares: this is part of the Mar Menor regeneration program and is one of the measures which will help reduce agricultural water filtration into the lagoon.
Murcia government announces water-saving scheme in the Campo de Cartagena: sounding gauges will also help decrease the run-off of fertilizers into the Mar Menor, while irrigation farmers propose an additional 80-million-euro scheme to carry brackish water away from the lagoon to the Mediterranean.
Plans presented for first phase of new La Manga seafront walk: the first section is at the southern end of La Manga, and includes not only the paved surface itself but also measures to improve accessibility, areas of greenery and shade and street furniture.
Giant fan mussel rescued from the Mar Menor in Lo Pagán: a parasite has practically wiped out the species in southern Spain over the last two years.
It is partly to protect the few remaining fan mussels, along with the dwindling seahorse population of the Mar Menor, that reservations have been expressed over the proposed relocation of the Balneario Floridablanca in Lo Pagán, the plan being to move the structure 45 metres so that it stands over the sea rather than on the shore.
The first phase, which consists of dismantling the structure, cataloguing and assessing all of the parts and determining which can be used in re-constructing it, is now ready to go ahead. But the environmental analysts are not fully convinced regarding the reconstruction of this Item of Cultural Interest due to suspicions that it could alter the natural habitat of protected species, and further investigations will ensue before permission is granted (or otherwise).
Another olive and almond ebola case detected in Alicante: Xylella fastidiosa has still not yet been found in the Region of Murcia as the authorities in the Costa Blanca struggle to contain the bacterium (viewers of the Chelsea Flower Show may have noticed the discussions about this same topic during the TV coverage of the show, which is insisting on a future quarantine of plants from Europe due to this same threat).
15 sacks of rubbish collected from isolated Cabo Tiñoso beaches: 500 plastic bottles, 300 lids and 30 shoes were among the items found near Cala Salitrona on a day when the boat carrying the volunteers to the isolated cove was accompanied by a shoal of dolphins as part of a number of public clean-ups for World Environment Day.
Cartagena tourist boat to collaborate in coastal clean-up on 26th May: the activity will take place around the Fuerte de Navidad at the entrance to the harbour as part of this year’s Mucho Más Mayo festival in the city.
Alhama seeks Murcia government help to compensate farmers for storm-damaged crops: table grape vineyards were the worst hit by flooding and hailstones in Alhama on 10th May.
Tourism news
Murcia tourist authorities aim to make 2,700 more rental properties legal this year: further clampdowns on unregistered and undeclared tourist rental activity as private owners are targeted.
Mazarrón welcomes another group of cruise ship visitors: Bolnuevo and Puerto de Mazarrón attract day trippers stopping off in Cartagena on their way around the Mediterranean.
Major international golf tourism event at La Manga Club this week: from 21st to 24th May La Manga Club hosted this year’s IAGTO Spain Trophy golf tournament, one of the most prestigious events in the golf tourism calendar, bringing together around 80 golf tour operators from 21 countries.
The water wheels of Abarán are now Items of Cultural Interest: four water wheels and a host of other sites are officially listed in the Ricote valley.
First migrant boat interception in the Costa Cálida for three months
8 Africans were towed to Cartagena after being found adrift 14 miles from Cabo de Palos, the first incident of this kind in the Costa Cálida since 25th February.
This came just a couple of days after the authorities in Murcia issued a press release outlining the great efforts which are being made to ensure that local and regional authorities and organizations in Cartagena are prepared for waves of immigrants like the one which brought 656 Africans to the city last October. On that occasion the authorities simply didn’t know where to put them all, and as a result over 400 had to be re-housed in an unused prison in Málaga.
On the subject of immigration, it also emerged this week that an Indian immigration ring has been busted in Torre Pacheco: 20 were arrested after it was found that Indian nationals were being driven from Serbia to Murcia, hiding in car boots at border controls. The arrested included not only the ringleaders, but also some of the immigrants and other Indians in France and Germany who collaborated by allowing the immigrants to use their documentation in order to register with the Spanish Social Security, in return for which they received part of the salaries which in theory were paid to the workers.
On the roads…
Mazarrón and Camposol residents could be exempted from paying the AP-7 motorway toll: a proposal is under consideration to make the stretch between Mazarrón and Cartagena free for locals on the grounds that they are charged for traveling to their nearest hospital.
Four injured in Puerto Lumbreras motorway accident: a van carrying 8 occupants overturned on the A-7 on Saturday afternoon, and four were taken to hospital in Lorca.
Privatization hopes for bankrupt ghost motorway raised by increased traffic figures: still only just over 3,000 vehicles per day on the Cartagena-Vera stretch of the AP-7 but numbers are rising at last.
11 reasons for the Guardia Civil to stop you and immobilizing your car or motorbike: inadequate child seats are added to the list.
Truck driver detained in Cieza with 9 times the legal limit of alcohol in his blood: the offending driver has lost his licence for similar offences on two previous occasions.
Murcia mega-trailer takes to the roads: the 25-metre refrigerated Merlatrans lorry is the first of its kind in Spain.
Cartagena drunk driver arrested after hit and run incident in Molinos Marfagones: a cyclist was so seriously injured in the collision that the driver feared he may have died.
Petrol and diesel prices reach their highest level for 3 years: the forecourt price of diesel fuel has gone up by almost 12 per cent over the last year as a consequence of the strained relations between the West and Iran.
Other items in the Murcia news this week
Jewelry returned to the church of Churra just days after being stolen: the thief was tracked down after imitating a robbery he carried out a decade ago, following tip-offs from members of the public.
Access to the Wolf King’s castle in Monteagudo is to be restored: the 1.2-million-euro first phase of the restoration plan has been unveiled in Monteagudo, and has been welcomed after the frustrating failure in recent years to take action to save the remarkable medieval fortress.
Murcia returns to the London Wine Fair: wineries from Jumilla, Yecla and Bullas are seeking to increase exports to the UK as Brexit looms.
Cartagena underwater drone specialists collaborate with NASA in Pacific Ocean research: a UPCT drone will be analysing the North Pacific Subtropical Front between California and Hawaii.
Cash card thieves arrested after targeting the elderly in Totana: over 7,000 euros were withdrawn using bank cards stolen in Totana.
Aforca highlights the need for action at dilapidated Cartagena military fortifications: Cartagena is blessed with the remains of 4 city walls and 21 coastal gun batteries, but it appears to be impossible to keep them all in decent condition and make the most of what could and perhaps should a far more prominent tourist attraction in the Costa Cálida.
Prehistoric murals in and around El Llano del Beal are now on Google Earth: wall paintings in El Beal show the local flora and fauna 800,000 years ago!
Dead body found in Mazarrón irrigation water deposit: suicide has not been ruled out as the Guardia Civil investigate.
Three Portuguese men o’ war found on the beaches of San Pedro del Pinatar: the beaches remain open but under vigilance, while in the southern Costa Blanca the red no bathing flag is being flown.
200 Civil War explosives removed from Cala Cortina in Cartagena in 3 weeks: the beach was cordoned off as 10 more shells were removed on Tuesday.
Moroccan parrot thieves detained in El Albujón: sharp-eyed off-duty polly-cing led to the stolen parrot being returned to its owner.
Third generation lemurs born at Terra Natura wildlife park in Murcia: a new infant female brings the lemur population of Terra Natura up to five.
Murcia health authorities urge those living on the coast to register on the Padrón: staffing problems are exacerbated by inaccurate local population data in coastal areas of Murcia.
Zero sacrifice stray animal collection contract signed in San Javier: no abandoned animals collected in San Javier will be put down except when it is advisable for reasons of ill health and suffering.
Alhama de Murcia uncovers its Moorish past during roadworks: the remains of a large early 13th century residence lie under Calle Parricas in Alhama.
Free big screen in Cartagena for the football this weekend – and it’s not Real Madrid-Liverpool! FC Cartagena have a chance to gain promotion to the Second Division proper on Sunday!
Meteorite plunges into the sea near Murcia at 90,000 km/h: a fireball streaked across the night sky early in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Murcia and Spanish property news
There has been little in the way of real estate news this week, other than another set of data related to the first quarter of 2018, this time from the Ministry of Development, showing a year-on-year average price increase of 2.7 per cent.
This is the 12th consecutive quarterly rise, and as the bounce-back effect spreads it is encouraging to see that Murcia is among the 11 regions where rises are reported, with an increase of 1.7 per cent. This is particularly important because the recovery in prices started later in the Costa Cálida than in Madrid, Barcelona and the Balearic and Canary islands. It seems that only now is the bounce-back beginning, with prices having risen by just 2.1 per cent from their lowest point, and with property values still 39 per cent lower than the peak which was reached in late 2017 this may be the ideal moment to invest in property in Murcia!
Elsewhere, perhaps the most eye-catching property-related story this week relates to anomalies in the new Spanish Monopoly board: squares are allocated to locations according to public preference rather than market prices, and this has piqued the analysts at a leading property portal: Cartagena is one of the towns and cities featured, but the purchase price apparently bears little relation to current market reality!
Spanish news summary: trouble for the governments of Spain and Catalunya as one faces a motion of no confidence while the other cannot even be formed
There’s no doubt that the biggest news story in Spain this week began on Thursday with the announcement of the verdicts in the Gürtel corruption case, and continued the following morning with the registration by the opposition PSOE party of a motion of no confidence in the national government which will be debated and voted on in parliament.
If passed, the motion will lead to another general election, and at first sight this attempt to topple the government through a vote of no confidence, the fourth in Spain since the restoration of democracy after the death of General Franco, has more chance of prospering than the previous three.
Initially when the Gürtel sentences were published on Thursday in a 1,687-page document, much attention focussed on the punishments decided upon for the Gürtel case’s two highest profile defendants. Francisco Correa, the man found to be at the centre of the scam by which public funds found their way into private pockets and bank accounts, was handed a sentence of 51 years and 11 months, while Luis Bárcenas, the former treasurer of the PP party, is sentenced to 33 years behind bars for his role in the wrongdoings.
But this is not what has sparked the motion of no confidence. Among the others found guilty in the verdict is the PP party itself, which is found to have enriched itself by illegal means to the tune of 245,000 euros. This directly contradicts evidence given to the court by none other than Mariano Rajoy, the president of the national government, and the PSOE is adamant that as a result Sr Rajoy’s credibility has been too seriously undermined for him and his party to be allowed to continue in government.
In the meantime, the situation in Catalunya still remains unresolved, with Quim Torra’s attempt to form a new government including four ministers who are either in prison or in exile to escape a similar fate having been blocked by the national government. The announcement by Mariano Rajoy on Sunday that Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution will remain in force, meaning a continuation of direct rule from Madrid, was supported fully by the Ciudadanos and PSOE parties who may now combine to oust the President from government.
This news was followed by a series of disturbances in the region of Catalunya, including a scuffle on the beach of Canet and ceremonial photo burning involving portraits of all three political party leaders who support Article 155.
In a curious echo of the events in Catalunya over the last eight months a rap artist from Mallorca named Valtonyc was also headline news this week. Having been found guilty of exalting terrorism and threatening behaviour through his lyrics, Valtonyc fled the country in order to avoid beginning the three-and-a-half-year prison sentence he was given early in 2017, and it later transpired that he had followed the lead of Carles Puigdemont, the former president of the regional government of Catalunya, in choosing Belgium as the best place to avoid detention and extradition.
On Wednesday morning he published a message on social media warning that he was “not going to make it so easy” for the authorities to put him behind bars.
Scroll down below for more of the latest stories to make the headlines in Spain…
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