Internal War in the Govern During Peak Vacation

New Controversy in the Govern of the Generalitat Over the Hard Rock Project in Salou and Vilaseca. The Govern's Delegate in Tarragona, Àngel Xifré, Has Contradicted the Health Minister, Manel Balcells, After Some Incendiary Statements. Balcells Expressed His Willingness to Abandon the Tourist Megacomplex.

Hard Rock Entertainment World is a Project for the Construction of a Tourist and Gambling Megacomplex in Catalonia. The Construction of 2,039 Acres (825 hectares) of Casinos, Hotels, and a Shopping Center with Luxury Stores is Planned. Also, a Megacasino, Which Would Be the Seventh Largest in the World.

The Project Has Been in the Spotlight for Promoting a Model of Tourist Exploitation with Precarious Jobs. Opposing Associations Claim That It Benefits Multinationals and Not Citizens. Additionally, They Denounce the Environmental Impact and Real Estate Speculation.

Balcells Causes an Earthquake

The Health Minister, Manel Balcells, Stirred the Debate This Week by Stating That the Project "Goes Absolutely Against What We Defend in the Health Field." The Minister Linked the Project to the Promotion of Gambling Addiction. Therefore, He Expressed "the Hope That the Hard Rock Promoters Will Back Down."

The Municipalities of Salou and Vilaseca Reacted Quickly, Asking the Govern to Clarify Its Intentions. Pere Granados, Mayor of Salou, Spoke of "Irresponsibility" and Called for "a Rectification." Pere Segura, Mayor of Vilaseca, Appealed to the Minister to Be "Respectful of His Own Govern."

The Statements Have Also Caused Discontent Among the Socialists. Rubén Viñuales, Mayor of Tarragona, Reminded That the Project Was One of the Agreements Between ERC and PSC to Promote the Budgets in Parlament.

The Govern Responds

The Tsunami Unleashed by the Minister's Statements Forced the Govern to Respond. The Delegate Clarified That "Nothing Has Changed" Regarding the Generalitat's Stance, and That Balcells's Statements Were "Personal."

Xifré Reaffirmed ERC and Pere Aragonès's Govern's Commitment to the Project's Development. In This Line, He Confirmed That the Urban Master Plan Will Go Through the Generalitat's Urban Planning Commission Before the End of the Year. He Also Stated That the Company Has Already Deposited the Guarantee and "Remains Interested."

The Tension Within the Aragonès Govern Comes in the Middle of August and at Delicate Times for Esquerra. Poor Electoral Results Add to the Weakness of the Minority Govern. More and More Voices Are Calling for an Early Election to Form a New Government.