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Vol. 8 Issue 199
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Defective
SPAIN is now classified as a ‘defective democracy’ due to its high levels of corruption. The country now has a worse ranking than Saudi Arabia, Rwanda and Costa Rica, when it comes to transparency. In its worst score for three decades, Spain came 46th out of 180 nations. It now scored just 56 out of 100 in the evaluation by Transparency International, which compiles data from many sources including the World Bank and World Economic Forum. Spain dropped 10 places being slammed for its control of corruption, government efficiency, regulatory quality, and rule of law.
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OUR BEACH NOT YOUR TOILET Illegal campers are dumping excrement in the Costa Blanca - while in Mallorca they are on the march
Scandals
The country ‘continues to lack a national anti-corruption strategy’ to counter scandals such as the Koldo case and the Jose Luis Abalos affair. The loss of the anti-fraud agency in the Balearics, and the weakening of the Valencian equivalent were noted, while only four autonomous regions tackle corruption head on. The UK has also seen a decline of 11 points since 2017 scoring just 71 out of 100. Overall Europe has declined for the second year running to 64 out of 100. Only six countries improved their scores, while Denmark remained on top being the least corrupt nation, with a score of 90. Russia holds the worst position in Europe, ranking 154th globally with a score of just 22.
FOREIGN caravaners are ‘dumping human waste’ on beaches and in public water fountains, outraged expats claim. Michael Cultrona, a 64-year-old German expat says the seasonal motorhome visitors to Xeraco, on the Costa Blanca, pose a ‘public health risk’. “They clean their chemical toilets in the water fountains in the park where kids drink,” he told the Olive Press. “It’s very concerning as they are also throwing human waste into our bushes, onto beaches and rivers.” The long-time expat alleges locals have made numerous complaints to the council and police, to no avail.
The Only Way is Trouble SPAIN is seeking the extradition of a British reality TV star for cocaine smuggling. Jack Fraser, 34, who appeared in TOWIE (The Only Way is Essex), is accused of playing a key role in trying to smuggle 184 kg of drugs into Spain through a boat called the Eulalia in November 2021. Spanish prosecutors allege Fraser provided logistical support to a trafficking network, including paying for accommodation and renting properties for crew members involved in the operation. The court heard that Fraser - who also appeared in MTV’s Ex On The Beach - left Spain just two days before the seizure. His lawyers insist he is innocent and was ‘not in Spain’ when the alleged offending occurred. Fraser has a number of UK convictions, including a 15-month suspended sentence for dangerous driving and aggravated vehicle theft after ramming a stolen BMW into a police car in June.
EXCLUSIVE By Yzabelle Bostyn
“They want the ‘tourist money’, but as far as I can tell the only money they spend is in the local Spar shop,” the former German military sniper said. “In fact, they steal from local orange farms and even our gardens.” Cultrona also claims the caravaners also known as snowbirds and blowins - are to blame for the death of ‘several’ local cats. “Their dogs have killed several cats and anyone who dares to challenge them is threatened verbally or physically. “I was actually threatened with a knife after I shooed a dog out of my garden to protect my cats,” he said. According to the German, the campers are parked illegally and often block the pavements despite their being a campsite ‘just metres’ away. Even those who run the legal campsites around the nearby Gandia area are dealing with multiple issues, the SCOWL: Campers block the whole pavement and pay no fees
IN HIS SIGHTS: Former sniper Cultrona is taking aim at campers
Olive Press understands. Cultrona claims that a couple he knows who live in the caravan park behind his house were attacked with human excrement. “They paid €10,000 to have a plot for ten years, but soon after their caravan was smeared in human waste and their tires punctured. “I think it was an attempt by the owner to keep their money while making them leave,” he said. Meanwhile in Mallorca, over 200 caravans and campers gathered in Palma last week to protest against new regulations limiting the use of the vehicles as living spaces. The demonstration was led by the Oasis Caravanning Association (ACO) and the Independent Caravan Platform (PACA). On January 30, the council approved new regulations establishing sanctions and restrictions on using caravans as a full time residence. The protest began at 6pm at the BricoDepot Palma and went through the city’s main streets to end up at Calle Camp de Deu. Despite guidance by the Policia Local, it reportedly caused major disruption in the city centre, including road closures and redirections. ACO president, Javier Fuster, has called the new regulation ‘discriminatory’ to those who live and holiday in caravans. Although the association initially managed to have the new rules modified, the law now states overnight stays are ‘permanently’ banned. They claim the law is ‘badly
drafted’ as the rules do not specify how long a permanent stay is. Fuster clarified that although they do not support camping in non-designated sites, they would like areas to be set up for this purpose. He also pointed out that Spanish road authorities define caravans as vehicles ‘adapted to be used as a temporary living space’, meaning you can stay in them in places designated by the local council. “We want the council to give us a specific area where we can stay until social services, which are under a lot of pressure, are able to help vulnerable people who live in caravans,” said Fuster. He also urged officials to provide more areas to fill up and empty water containers. It comes after Mallorca Mayor Jaime Martinez sparked controversy by claiming there are 5,000 caravaners on the island. In contrast, a study from the University of the Balearic Islands put the number at 150 while PACA estimates there are over 300. Deputy Mayor, Javier Bonet has now clarified that a census will be carried out to accurately determine the amount of mobile homes on the island. Opinion Page 6