with all 70,000 wanting to be living on that tiny bit of land

I doubt if it has had much difference. A few thousand British immigrants more or less don't have that much effect on the Spanish economy! But it would certainly be a good thing if the current government kept the promise made by the last one, and introduced a law to say that no property could be sold without independently validated paperwork.

There are a growing number of separatists here in Mallorca (or the Balearics in general) as well.

The argument is that whilst we enjoy one of the best economies in Spain, the Balearics are obliged to spread that wealth to Madrid, where it's perceived to be orders of magnitude more corrupt than the Balearics (who are no angels themselves).

Whilst this is not anywhere near as important or pubicised as Catalonia or the Basque country, it's a rapidly growing sentiment here, and I believe and if the rhetoric continues from other regions, independence will likely become a major political issue here as well.

The general mindset is that if independence were to ever happen, they would declare themselves an independent island state like Malta, but would be keen to retain membership in the EU.

This seems to reflect the mood all over Spain at the moment.

Just for fun, I think they should become an offshore tax haven, outside of the EU. Then just watch the money pour in :-)

Of course that won't happen; The sentiment amongst the population is that they want a purely socialist state, where people only work if they feel like it, and we all get everything for free, which of course isn't sustainable without taxing everything to death.

Surely if Catalunya became independent then the Balearics would become part of Catalunya?

Thats what I have always assumed

Well, that might be the best route for them... but the Mallorquins really aren't that keen on "Spanish" rule. Never have been.

No, obviously Catalunya isn't "Spain", but really, about the only thing the Balearics share with Catalunya is a unique dialect of Catalan...

And a shared history and culture

I have a very good friend from Girona, and he often talks fondly about his "cousins" in the Balearics, where his family originally comes from. He coudnt be more Catalan, but sees the Balearics as part of Catalunya

Perhaps so, but I can assure you that the Balearics don't believe they "belong" to anyone...

In fact, if you play the "EU" card in the event you find yourself in a debate about your rights as an EU citizen, the guardia civil here will confidently remind you that this is NOT the EU, but an autonomous region which makes it's own laws. Yes, just that arrogant.

Technically, the Balearics are an autonomous region and not a part of Catalunya. But it is part of the EU, despite what they might tell you.

One of the most sensible articles on the Eurozone I've read in a long time.

http://www.businessinsider.com/there...isnt-it-2012-9

Best football team though, lol

Good article but I fear it will fall on deaf ears and the road to self destruct for the poorer countries hooked into the Euro will continue.
At least a few of them had enough sense to treat it like the poisoned chalice it really would have been for them also.
I could never see it working from the start, one of the dumbest ideas of all time in my book but I guess some had their ulterior motives.

eh no ... who i hell wants to live in gibralter one side has 24 hour darkness coz of the rock and the other is aboout as big as a branch of tescos with boats ???
they dont offer free health care for everyone arriving or a coucil house ,its not england..

Which part of the west midlands do you live??

1.the GUARDA CIVIL are NATIONAL SPANISH MILITARY POLICE and they cant serve where they are from so NONE OF THEM in mallorca are from there
so none of em are going to wave a INDEPENDENCE flag so thats just amade up story
2.EVERWHERE in spain is a autonomous region region ...whats your point??
3.CATALAN is an OFFICAL LANGUAGE .. bit of a give a way that

OK, if you wish, but they still will claim EU law is secondary to their own laws.

Not part of Catalunya, as some would like to imply currently exists or would be a natural political or geographic progression.

Yes, and Mallorquín (an odd dialect of Catalan) is the official language written in documents from say, the local town council. Even if you are fluent in Catalan, you might have some difficulty understanding this dialect. So, what's your point?

It won't be just the Brits who were put off buying though will it, the Germans, French, Italians, everyone, I can imagine it has had a disastrous effect on the Spanish building trade and economy. I might be wrong, what do you think?