Politics is a funny business. Actually, I don’t think it is funny at all. It just seems funny, or ludicrous maybe, to witness the yo-yo effect of some local and perhaps even national politics now that the conservative camp has swept to power, here in Mallorca, in the Consell Insular, the Govern Balear, and in Madrid.

Take Palma, for example. Two years ago, bicycle lanes were established along some stretches of the Avenidas. Within four weeks of the new city hall taking office, the bicycle lanes were eliminated to a large extent and an alternative route was chosen along some narrow back streets, causing confusion and traffic congestions. 200,000 € or thereabouts were spent to put in the lanes, and another 300,000 € or more to get rid of them and move them someplace else. But, money does not matter.

Or, let’s take Carrer Blanquerna as another example. After lengthy deliberations with the local neighbourhood associations, the small business patrons, taxi drivers and so forth, a decision was taken to convert Carrer Blanquerna into a pedestrian area. By about Easter 2011, extensive resurfacing and expensive redesigning was completed and the new pedestrian stretch was inaugurated. A few weeks after the political powers were reshuffled, local car traffic was allowed back in. Lots of Euro cents, but hey, money matters not a lot.

I’m not blaming any particular political colour for all that in and out. If you look further back, Plaça d’Espanya might come to your mind. A massive remodelling was undertaken some 12 or 14 years ago at a cost equivalent to seven million Euros. Six or seven years later, everything was dug up again, and a new re-construction was begun, putting the trains and a new Metro back into Plaça d’Espanya, only this time, underground. Never mind the vast expense.

Two years ago, Palma was officially called that, with the suffix de Mallorca being eliminated. Now, the new government in the Balearics wants to reinstate the full name Palma de Mallorca. As if we did not have more pressing matters to deal with, or rather, our politician had nothing else to consider, such as unemployment, social unrest, corruption, mismanagement of public funds, you name it. Financial prudence does not seem to matter.

The latest reversal seems to have sprung up, concerning ports and marinas in the Illes Balears. Latest media reports have it that the Balearic Government is planning to authorize the extension of 12 marinas in Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca, something that the previous Govern Balear has vetoed and rejected. Now, the Asociación de Clubes Náuticos de Balears seems to have found open ears with the new political mandate and their ambitions now seem to have found the willing support of the Dirección General de Puertos y Aeropuertos in Palma. Four or five of the planned extensions of existing marinas are said to be in Mallorca. There is also talk of the construction of three or four completely new nautical facilities in the Balearic Islands. Prepare yourself for some hefty tax hikes, I’d say.