Olive Press Mallorca Issue 169

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Property

GOING JAPANESE

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November 2023

Courted by courtyards

The incredible home in Galicia that is inspired by the best of the far east

The

OLIVE PRESS

Courted by courtyards

MALLORCA

CREDIT: Photo by Jon Clarke

All in our PROPERTY magazine

The incredible allure of crafty courtyards turned into an artform in Spain, some has been others with geraniums and some with with roses, palms. We take a look at their history. simply

VARIETY: Palacio de las Dueñas in Sevilla to a typical Cordoba patio and a modern design

STAY IN THE NEST!

Y

OUNGSTERS in Spain are among the oldest in Europe to flee the nest.

The average age to leave home is an incredible 31 years, the third hising stock is 'social housing' compared

By Alex Trelinski ghest on the continent. to 7% in other OECD nations.

Only Greeks and Slovakians leave The report did however sound a note home later. of optimism over the new Housing Law, The percentage of young adults living continually rising prices. which is seeking to ‘address with their parents is over 60% in the It blames the ‘difficult transition from affordable housing’ through the lack of regulations case of 18 to 34 year olds, and 50% for education to the labour market’ and and tax measures. adds it creates ‘a difficult transition 25 to 34 year olds. to The plan to allocate 40% of new resiThe lack of affordable housing in cities independent life for young Spaniards’. dential construction to social and popular tourist spots, including the High rental prices mean youngsters are half of it for social rental unitshousing - ‘could costas and the Balearic Islands, is the priced out of the market, while there is a generate benefits for lower-income critically low supply of council housing. key issue. households’, ruled the report.

According to a new OECD Econo- According to the report average rents “But only if carefully monitored mic Survey on housing across Europe, have risen by 40% over the last decade that such inclusionary zoning to ensure compared to just 10% in salaries. does not Spain has a long-standing issue due to Yet, alarmingly, only 1% of Spain's hou- reduce incentives to start new projects or drive up market prices,” it added.

Lack of affordable housing is keeping Spaniards at home into their 30s

NOT LEAVING: Spanish are the third

oldest to fly the nest

MARBELLA’S BOND 29601* BADDIES James Bond, countess and flamenco singers were all dragged into famous Malaya case

Your expat

voice in Spain

FREE Vol. 6 Issue 169 www.theolivepress.es November 17th - November 30th 2023

FINALLY!

See on page 6

Spain has a working government more than four months after inconclusive election

By Simon Hunter in Madrid

PEDRO Sanchez has been voted back in as prime minister by lawmakers in Spain.

The moment brought to an end months of political stalemate and controversy following the inconclusive July 23 general election.

The Socialist Party (PSOE) leader managed to form a government on the second day of an investiture debate at the first of two possible votes.

It came thanks to securing the majority he needed in the 350-seat Congress of Deputies.

Sanchez has led Spain since 2018, after he won a vote of no-confidence against then-leader Mariano Rajoy of the PP party.

After the inconclusive 2019 general election, he then formed a minority government in 2020 in coalition with leftist Unidas Podemos.

He was also able to secure the support of smaller groups in order to pass legislation.

As well as votes from his own party, he was also backed at the investiture vote on Thursday by the new leftist alliance Sumar, which will be his main coalition partner.

Other support he needed to win included the Catalan Republican Left (ERC), Together for Catalunya, EH Bildu, the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), the Galician Nationalist Bloc (BNG), and the

BACK TO WORK: Pedro Sanchez clinches another term as Prime Minister despite weeks of protests over Catalunya caused weeks of violent anti-governCanarian Coalition. ment protests, mostly in Madrid but also In total, he received 179 ‘yes’ votes from across Spain. the 350 lawmakers, with 171 ‘no’ votes The most high-profile beneficiaries of cast and zero abstentions. the amnesty are for ex-Catalan leader The road back to power for Sanchez has, Carles Puigdemont of Together for Catahowever, been paved with controversy. lunya, and Oriol Junqueras of ERC. In order to secure support of the Catalan separatists he had to do deals including the cancellation of debt as well as agreeOpinion Page 6 ing a roadmap for future independence negotiations.

Most unpopular is the amnesty for anyone involved in the illegal Catalan independence drive over the last GLOBAL superstar Taylor Swift is looking to buy a decade. bolthole in the Balearics.

The deals have The 34-year-old is reportedly house hunting in Mallor-

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SWOOPING IN ca after visiting the island earlier this year.

According to reports, the pop star began looking after enjoying the wedding of close friend Joey King, who tied the knot at La Fortaleza in Pollensa in September.

Swift is said to have been drawn to Spain’s ‘laid back lifestyle’ and ‘scenic landscapes’ after attending the actress’s nuptials.

However, according to The Sun, the I Knew You Were Trouble singer is also considering Barcelona and other Balearic Islands.

And a Portugal-based estate agent revealed she is also looking at villas around Lisbon and nearby Estoril and Sintra.

He added that she had also been shown a couple of luxury villas around Casteldelfells, some 30 minutes south of Barcelona.

The superstar already owns properties in London, New York and Los Angeles.

Angelina Jolie is also allegedly house hunting in Mallorca this Autumn.

Other celebrities who have bought in Mallorca include Joseph Fiennes, Annie Lennox, Sir Richard Branson and Michael Douglas.

Brad Pitt paid €3.5 million for his Puerto Andratx property in 2016.

Actress Amber Heard lived on the island for a year, after her messy court case with ex-husband Johnny Depp in London. She now lives in Madrid.

HOUSE HUNTING: Taylor Swift is reportedly looking for a home in Mallorca

2

CRIME

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NEWS IN BRIEF Paying for the privilege IBIZA could once-again be home to the ‘world’s biggest nightclub’ as €8.2 million refurb plans have been approved. ‘Privilege’, which closed in 2019, once had a capacity of 10,000.

Budget rise MALLORCA’S tourism budget is set to increase by 30% or €132.6 million, in the next year in an effort to modernise, improve and de-seasonalise tourism on the island.

Crowning glory MALLORCA has returned to Netflix for the final season of The Crown, released on November 16.

Locations used include: Palma, Soller, Sant Elm, Club de Mar and Villa Castillo de Mallorca.

Pringles prize A MALLORCAN man has claimed the world record for largest collection of Pringles, amassing 263 tubes. Guillem Ignasi Bauza Cabot, has been collecting the crisps for over 10 years.

THE Policia Nacional has broken up a large Asian mafia gang based in Palma that trafficked and sexually exploited women.

Officers entered several nightclubs and the homes of gang members on Tuesday in the Pere Garu and Es Molinar areas.

Mafia busted The ringleader lived just a few metres away from one of the brothels run by him.

Police said the mafia operated with 'huge amounts' of cash to avoid de-

November 17th - November 30th 2023 tection and that nobody could follow the trail of profits made.

Investigators discovered sophisticated security systems and surveillance cameras at the brothels, with hundreds of paying clients being recorded for reasons that have yet to be determined.

Justice is served A JUDGE and prosecutor have been jailed after their illegal tactics saw multiple corruption cases thrown out of court.

Ex-investigative judge Manuel Penalva and former anti-corruption prosecutor Miguel Angel Subaran received nine years each from the Balearic Islands High Court (TSJB) this week.

The sentences, which will be appealed, pale in comparison to the 100-plus years that had been sought by prosecutors.

The crooked duo led corruption inquiries into various police officers and the well-known nightclub owner Bartolome Cursach, dubbed Mallorca's

Corrupt judge and prosecutor who led multiple illegal probes are put behind bars

The case was dropped last year when a judge admitted the investigation had been a ‘total 'King of the Night'. abject failure of justice’. All of Cursach was accused of run- those probed were formally acning a five-year mafia-esque quitted in November 2022 after ‘collusion’ with local police and Penalva and Angel Subaran politicians to the benefit of his were removed from the case business interests. following allegations of corrupHe was said to have dominat- tion. ed the island through bribes, Both men were later convicted threats, and had a vast army of of coercion and obstructing juspolice, lawyers and politicians tice. eating out of his hand.

The court also said they put pressure on council officials and businessbottle of alcohol. man Antoni Roig to Officers were told that he had exploit their prominent had an argument with one of the positions to provide A 19-year-old man has been ar- inhabitants a few days earlier. evidence in their police rested for setting fire to a squat The fire started on the ground corruption case, known in Felanitx that was home to 26 floor and spread very quickly as 'Caso Oro'. people. with one person needing mediFour members of PoliSeveral witnesses told the cal treatment. cia Nacional's Money Guardia Civil that they saw The two-storey building sufLaundering unit were him enter the building on Cal- fered extensive damage, mainalso in the dock with two le Juevert at around 10.00am ly caused by the smoke generof them convicted and on Wednesday brandishing a ated by the flames. receiving jail terms of between one and three

By Alex Trelinski

Squat blaze

years.

The lengthy trial looked at the dubious ways that Judge Penalva and the Palma investigating court operated in bringing several high-profile cases to court between 2013 and 2018, including the Caso Oro and Cursach probes.

Prosecutors for example said that 15 people were arrested in the Oro investigation after testimony 'of completely unspecific and speculative content'.

They added that after 'a very deficient investigation', the defendants made arrests, pressured detainees, suspects and witnesses, and sent them to prison.

The Prosecutor's Office also referred to the arrest of the former PP politician, Alvaro Gijon, his brother and his parents with the motivation of 'pressuring and softening him up' and 'inexplicably' suggesting that he was behind several crimes.

Another element of the case was the fact that the media in Mallorca was illegally briefed by the defendants despite the various inquiries being deemed to be under 'summary secrecy'.

All hot air

A FAKE air conditioning salesman has been arrested after defrauding clients out of thousands of euros in and around Palma.

The conman drove a van plastered with a genuine air conditioning firm’s logo and took a total of €5,000 from prospective customers.

The man has been detained by the Policia Nacional and charged with four counts of fraud, adding to his five pre-existing arrest warrants.

The fraudster convinced his marks to pay deposits for units of between €450 and €1,000, before vanishing and never contacting them again.

IMPULSE STEAL AN opportunistic thief is facing jail after stealing a Rolex watch from the pocket of a dressing gown.

The woman had arrived at a home in Bendinat to pick up some second-hand furniture she had bought online.

She asked to use the bathroom when she discovered the €50,000 watch in the pocket of a bathrobe and decided to swipe it.

Within minutes of her driving off, the owner realised it was missing and called in the Guardia Civil, who swiftly arrested the thief. She admitted her crime and will soon be brought before a judge.

Should’ve gone to Specsavers.

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November 17th - November 30th 2023

Going swimmingly

HAIR RAISING CLAIM HE may have agreed to pay €18.5 million and accepted a 23 month suspended prison term for tax evasion back in 2019, but Cristiano Ronaldo’s tax woes are not over.

Hacienda has the football superstar in its sights once more in a row over IVA (VAT) not charged by a string of hair

transplant clinics he owns.

The 38-year-old owns several Insparya Medical Clinics which did not add 21% IVA to its bills, arguing that hair transplants are a medical procedure, so exempt.

But the tax man is now claiming that the treatment is purely cosmetic and so the IVA is due after all.

Just awards Glittering occasion QUEEN Letizia turned heads when she wore the jaw-dropping Flor de Lis tiara as she accompanied King Felipe on a state visit to Denmark.

It is regarded as the most important of Spain’s Crown Jewels.

Originally made for Balmoral-born Queen Victoria Eugenie - wife of Spain’s King Alfonso and granddaughter of Britain’s Queen Victoria - it is made with 450 diamonds and 10 pearls, mounted on a platinum structure, forming three fleurs-de-lis surrounded by vines.

Experts say it could fetch up to €12 million at auction.

The Spanish monarch used the occasion - the first state visit to Denmark from Spain in 40 years - to advocate for a ‘strong’ and ‘united’ Europe amidst conflict in Gaza and Ukraine.

King Felipe also recognised the long relationship between the two states during a dinner organised by Q u e e n M a r grethe of Denmark.

What are the Princess of Asturias prizes that have been given to a host of international stars?

By Dilip Kuner

MERYL Streep, Steffi Graf, Seve Ballesteros and Sebastian Coe are just a few of the stellar names to have been rewarded with Spain’s Princess of Asturias Award since its inception.

While it gives Spain international attention, many people are not aware of just what it is for and why already famous people are

HAPPY: in Oviedo

E ME? UR READERS E S U O CAN Y O CAN ALL O THEN S NESS I S U B YOUR D BE AS COUL S AS THI L A U S VI LITTLE S A M FRO ISSUE N A 0 5 AS € CONTACT US FOR INFORMATION ON OUR ADVERTISING ON 951 27 35 75 OR EMAIL US ON SALES@ THEOLIVEPRESS.ES

PROUD MOMENT: Leonor awards Meryl Streep

given a Joan Miro designed trophy and €50,000 cash.

This year Meryl Streep was the headline act, recently making the trip to Oviedo to accept the award, beaming with pleasure as Princess Leonor herself presented the prize for The Arts - but there is much more to the awards then famous faces.

The Prince of Asturias Awards were established in 1981 when the prince was just 13-years-old.

In 2014 Felipe ascended to the throne and his daughter Leonor took over leadership of the principality, leading to the awards name change.

They were originally intended to ‘consolidate

links between the autonomous community Principality of Asturias and the King’.

This has taken the form of bringing world-wide publicity to the region, with the Princess of Asturias foundation promoting culture and the arts in the region.

Prizes are given in eight different categories: The Arts, Literature, Social Sciences, Communication and Humanities, Technical and Scientific Research, International Cooperation, Concord and Sports.

King

The awards are handed out by the Princess of Asturias (Leonor) at an annual ceremony presided over by her parents, the King and Queen of Spain with the awards considered among the most important in the Spanish-speaking world.

3

AS winter starts to draw in on mainland Spain thoughts of fashionistas are turning to warm coats and woolies rather than beachwear.

But over in the Canaries, where November temperatures see average highs of 25C, the focus is still firmly on bikinis and swimsuits.

Canarian designers and brands came together for Tenerife Fashion Beach Costa Adeje 2023 , with eye-catching designs.

Lola Casademunt by Maite presented its swimwear collection called Iconic Luxor (main picture) ‘paying tribute to Egyptian culture’.

The men were not forgotten, with Ananas Wear coming up with this creation (inset) inspired by ‘vegetation, beaches and sunsets’.

Orca-strated attack A POD of orcas have sunk a yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar after a harrowing 45 minute attack.

According to the Polish tour operator running the voyage, the killer whales ‘hit the rudder repeatedly for 45 minutes, causing major damage and leakage’.

The Grazie Mamma made a dash for safety to Tanger Med, a collection of ports about 30 miles northeast of Tangier but

foundered despite assistance from the Moroccan Navy.

None of the crew or passengers were harmed.

Orca attacks on vessels have more than doubled in the past two years, according to marine research group, GT Orca Atlantica.

So far this year, the group has recorded 53 orca incidents in the Strait of Gibraltar, with 12 causing damage to vessels.

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Hot, hot, hot!

The calendar, shot at the Son Sant Joan firestation, shows the shirtless firefighters posing with axes, firetrucks and aeroplanes.

None of the men had modelled before, despite their incredible physiques.

All the proceeds from the calendar, which costs €10, will go towards the charity’s Children’s Development Service.

You can pick up your copy at Palma de Mallorca Airport.

They are also available to buy in El Corte Ingles on Avingudes y Jaume III, as well as Portopí.

Ruff ordeal Police probe breeder in Spain after dogs bought for €25,000 never arrived EXCLUSIVE

By Laurence Dollimore

THE OLIVE PRESS IS RECRUITING

AN Australian couple have called in police after splashing €25,000 on a trio of Spanish pedigree dogs that were never delivered.

Melissa and Jamie Tucker, both 45, paid a popular Spanish breeder a whopping 40,000 Aus dollars (€23,783) for three American Bully puppies.

They had hoped to begin a breeding business after Melissa, a former lawyer, was diagnosed with cancer, while Jamie gave up his transport business to care for her.

But after stumping up the

The Olive Press newspaper group is looking for an enthusiastic SPANISH SPEAKING salesperson to join our team.

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Melissa and Jamie

cash for the dogs, things quickly went awry.

One of the trio was discovered to be suffering from a serious eye infection, so was unable to be sent abroad. The couple said the breeder said he would take it to the vet to be fixed, but

BREEDER: On Instagram

that they would have to pay for it.

Switched

Meanwhile two females were sent to the UK to be checked over and sent to Australia, but one was found to have a deadly disease, while another had a different chip code to the one that was actually purchased, meaning customs wouldn’t let it travel.

The couple told the Olive Press they believe the code was switched by the breeder at the

Full speed ahead MOTORISTS will be able to travel up to 100km/hr on the Palma ring road from December 18.

The only stretch where the current 80 km/h limit will be maintained is the Genova tunnel and the Can Blau roundabout level crossing, which stay at the current figure for safety reasons The president of the Council of Mallorca, Llorenc Galmes, said the change has the support of all transport sector associations and is backed by council road technicians.

The island councilor for Territory, Mobility and Infrastructure, Fernando Rubio, said studies carried out indicate that increasing the speed limit will save fuel and, at the same time, reduce pollution.

Technical reports showed the by-pass has Mallorca's lowest road accident rate.

Rubio also announced the reports recommended resurfacing the highway to reduce noise generated by traffic by two to three decibels, while acoustic panels will be installed in some sections to cut noise suffered by near-by residents.​

last minute.

“We want our money back,” Mel insisted from her home in Queensland this week.

“We also need to make sure he doesn’t do this to anyone else, as we’ve already found other victims in the UK, US, France and Japan.

“So far we’ve confronted him on social media but he has just blocked us on every platform.”

The couple have now been forced to file a police report in Australia and are liaising with cops in Spain to launch an investigation.

The breeder, Mohamed Amine Kerouani, has more than 16,000 followers on both Instagram and Facebook.

Semen

Kerouani, believed to be based in Barcelona, shares videos and pictures of himself flying across the world to pick up dogs, including in China and the Middle East.

When contacted by the Olive Press, he insisted he took care of the three dogs for almost a year before sending two to the UK ahead of them being sent to Australia.

He said he offered to take the male dog to the vet to fix his eye but that the couple said no, and that he sent over semen instead.

“I have already called in two lawyers on them,” he added.

CREDIT: ladrondelmomento Instagram

MORE than 100 Spanish firemen have stripped off for a charity calendar in Mallorca.

The firefighters with Spanish Airports and Air Navigation (AENA) are raising funds for Asnimo, a charity dedicated to helping children with Down’s Syndrome.

November 17th November 30th 2023

Summer is over (finally!)

A COLD polar front will radically change Mallorca's weather next week with temperatures falling by around 10C, according to official weather agency AEMET. The long anticyclone that has brought sunshine and unseasonably high temperatures will be displaced by rain and strong winds from next Tuesday.

It's a stark contrast to recent days where temperatures have reached record highs for the time of year, with 27C recorded in parts of the island.

Aemet says that there will be 'very intense gusts' up to the following Friday and added that the precise dates of the weather change could change, but emphasised that it will definitely happen.

FREE BUSES NOW! THE Balearics are demanding funding for free public transport for the coming year from the new government after a similar deal was granted to the Canary Islands.

The investiture agreement between Pedro Sanchez's PSOE and Coalicion Canaria has guaranteed full subsidies for transport passes in the Canary Islands for the upcoming year.

The Balearics currently already enjoy free public transport, however the complicated agreements between parties fall short of offering full fare exemption in the new year.

The Balearics are currently facing a potential shortfall in their efforts to fund free public transport.

The total cost for free transport services stands at €43 million, however the local government has only received €32.25 million.

NEWS

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5 Brits yearn for EU

November 17th - November 30th 2023

Jumbo celebration SIMPLY THE BEST

CONDE Nast Traveller has named Mallorca as one of Europe’s top destinations to visit in 2024.

In its annual list, the publisher cited the ‘outpouring of exciting new hotels across the island’.

In the past year, Richard Branson has opened his latest hotel, Son Bunyola, (above) in the Tramuntana mountains, while in nearby Puigpunyent, Grand Hotel Son Net opened its doors in a 17th century manor, run by the team behind Andalucia’s luxury hotel, the Finca Cortesin.

Rafael Nadal has also opened his first Zel hotel, Zel Mallorca, in collaboration with Melia.

Other exciting openings cited

by Conde Nast include Ikos Porto Petro, Belmond La Residencia and The Lodge.

Described as the ‘grand dame’ of the Mediterranean, this Balearic Island location was ‘unrivaled’ in luxury, quality and sustainability.

Let us sleep!

RESIDENTS in two Palma streets say they are fed up with noise from the vicinity of a sports betting bar after it closes at 2am.

People living on Calles Guillem Massot and 31 de Diciembre have criticised the Policia Local for doing nothing about it despite repeated calls.

One resident said that ‘it has ruined our lives’, after people continue drinking in the street and even get into fights.

“They buy their drinks in a mini-market and hang out there all night screaming and playing music on their mobile phones. You can hear everything and we can’t sleep until they leave,” a neighbour told Diario de Mallorca.

The following day, empty bottles and cans along with vomit and urine are found spread around a bench and an adjoining garden area.

MAKENA, the first elephant born in the Valencian Community, has celebrated her first birthday.

A huge cake with a difference was baked along with special decorations for the elephant enclosure at wildlife centre Bioparc Valencia.

A large mound of sand with several layers formed the cake containing favourite elephant treats like watermelon, melon, pineapple, tomatoes, celery, lettuce, and pumpkins.

That was in addition to gift boxes filled with food, branches, forage and various elements specially chosen to pique the young pachyderm’s interest.

A NEW survey has revealed that a majority of Brits would vote to rejoin the EU if a new referendum were held today - though fewer than three months ago.

Nearly six in 10 (59%) of respondents in a recent survey

by Redfield & Wilton Strategies support Britain’s re-entry to the European project, with 41% against.

This represents a swing of three points in Brexit’s favour since the last survey in August, when 62% of Brits yearned for EU membership Of people who voted for Remain and Leave respectively in 2016, there has been a shift of 11% towards the former.

As many as 22% of those who originally voted 'Leave' now express a desire to rejoin the EU, and 11% of 'Remain' voters would now prefer to stay out.

Seven years on from the Brexit vote, 71% of respondents aged 18-24 - who were ineligible to vote in the 2016 EU referendum - would vote to join the EU. The majority of other age groups would also choose to join, except for those aged 65 and above, with 54% preferring to stay out.

Keep calm and marry on!

Brits looking to stay in Spain can sign ‘civil partnerships’ with their lovers

A BRITISH expat has revealed how he was able to stay in Spain by signing a socalled ‘pareja de hecho’ with his Polish girlfriend.

Mark Rofe, 34, slammed post-Brexit legislation which he said made it ‘impossible’ for him to live in the same country as his partner Alex Limanowka, also 34.

By Laurence Dollimore

The couple signed a ‘pareja de hecho’ last year, which allowed Mark to gain residency in Spain and live in Barcelona.

A ‘pareja de hecho’ is a legal status that a couple can apply for, if they can prove they

Exploitation row MALLORCA hoteliers have slammed the island’s former tourism minister for branding them ‘exploiters’ in a speech at the Balearic parliament.

Iago Negueruela criticised the government for not bringing extra employment inspectors during the summer season, leading to a greater ‘exploitation’ of workers and adding that ‘businesspeople can do what they want with impunity’.

Two island hotel associations - the FEHM and ACH - expressed their ‘total indignation’ at Negueruela’s remarks and said he had defamed the business community.

They pointed out that many ‘stable and quality’ jobs in the hotel sector had been created in recent years, helped by the disappearance of temporary employment contracts.

The Balearic Federation of Tourist Housing accused the ex-minister of ‘demonising the creators of wealth’ and called for him to apologise.

have maintained a stable relationship and lived together for at least 12 months.

According to Immigration Lawyers Madrid the relationship “must be considered public and continuous, meaning that there must be documentation available to prove it and that there has been no interruption in the time you have been together during the last year.”

Mark, from Surrey, said: “I don’t think a lot of people realise just how difficult it is since Brexit to move and live in another EU country. The 90 in 180 day rule meant that I could only see Alex for half the year, and who wants to only see their partner for half the year?”

He said he looked at golden visas and other options, but added: “None of these were suitable, it was impossible, so we ended up doing the pareja de hecho, a type of civil partnership, which is similar to a marriage, just without the formal ceremo-

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ny. It wasn’t exactly something quick or cheap to do either, it cost thousands in legal fees and took about 6+ months for me to get my residency.”

Strain

Mark’s partner Alex, a relationship therapist said: “For a while things were uncertain, which put a strain on our relationship. Thankfully for us though, we managed to find a way to make it work.

“Putting our situation aside, it does make me think how many other hundreds or thousands of other couples may have found themselves in a similar situation because of Brexit. It seems a bit sad that for Brits, even love has more boundaries than it did before.”

Opinion Page 6

Voting rights victory BRITISH citizens living in Spain for over 15 years will be able to vote in the next UK general election.

Draft legislation is expected to become law in January after being passed in Parliament.

Around three million British citizens live abroad with around 293,000 UK nationals registered as living in Spain.

Expats allowed will be entitled to vote in the last UK constituency in which they were registered or can provide proof of past residency.

It brings to an end a long battle by the late Harry Shindler, an Italian-based British expat, who challenged the former 15year limit on voting rights.

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THE OLIVE PRESS (all editions) - PROMO 2 - 2 x 6 columns - 90x256 - NOVEMBER 15-16-17 - 2023

NEWS FEATURE

Voted top expat paper in Spain A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.

OPINION Now get to work!

SPAIN can finally breathe a sigh of relief after Pedro Sanchez was voted back in as prime minister (Finally! p1).

Infrastructure and other projects across the country have been delayed by a months-long political stalemate, after no party was able to win a big enough majority at the general election in July.

The Socialist (PSOE) victory will likely be good news for British interests, particularly concerning the issue of Gibraltar.

Had the right-wing coalition come to power, they may have demanded much tougher conditions for the yet-to-be completed post-Brexit treaty - given their far harder stance on the Rock’s sovereignty.

Sanchez’s re-ascension to power has come at a cost, however, with the amnesty deal for those involved in the illegal Catalan referendum sparking furious protests nationwide.

He must now get to work on calming tensions among right-wing voters and introducing policies that have mass appeal.

Let’s hope he is able to steer the ship and keep Spain on track, especially given that Brussels predicts the country will have the fastest growing economy in the EU over the next two years.

Marriage made in Brexit IT’S no secret that Brexit upended thousands of Britons’ dreams of living a life in the sun.

When the Leave camp won by an extremely small majority in the 2016 referendum, hundreds of thousands of Brits in Spain were suddenly plunged into a legal quagmire.

We are glad that Mark was lucky enough to have found a loophole to be able to gain residency in Spain (Keep Calm And Marry On, page 5). But it’s clear that much more needs to be done to make moving to Spain easier for Britons, especially those who owned homes before the Brexit vote.

They continue to pay the same taxes and community fees, despite now only being allowed to enjoy their properties for six months each year.

We encourage all campaign groups to keep applying pressure on politicians in the UK to reach a new agreement with Spain on the rights of homeowners in this country.

PUBLISHER / EDITOR

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By Laurence Dollimore IT was one of the biggest ever scandals to rock the costas.

The infamous Malaya case uncovered a €2.4 billion embezzlement ring that involved dozens of councillors, a series of mayors, a famous flamenco singer, a German countess and at one point even former James Bond star Sean Connery as a side act.

The scale of the corruption proved so pervasive that control of Marbella town hall had to be temporarily handed over to a caretaker administration appointed by the Junta until local elections could take place in 2007.

The historic crimes, which took place between 1991 and 2006, are now being re-told in a smash hit true crime series on Spanish national TV. The documentary, available to stream, speaks to those involved in the case, including judges, witnesses and journalists.

Below, the Olive Press takes you through the biggest players in the Malaya case.

Juan Antonio Roca

Very much the puppetmaster of the Malaya plot, Roca was born into humble beginnings in Cartagena, Murcia, in 1953, before moving to Marbella in 1991 after his development company Comarsa was declared bankrupt.

Once through the golden arches he enjoyed a meteoric rise starting as the then mayor Jesus Gil’s chauffeur to becoming the councillor for Urban Planning for 11 years until 2003.

While there, he launched an unprecedented campaign of accepting bribes in exchange for building licences from a string of developers.

In just four years alone (from 2002 to 2006) a total of 19 agents are said to have paid more than €33 million to Roca and his cohorts.

It is alleged that during his time in office, Roca amassed a fortune worth at least €125 million, including a string of properties, a huge collection of exotic animals and a private art portfolio that included a Miro, worth millions, that he kept in the loo.

A dedicated website was set up to auction off €75 million worth of his properties, cars, works of art and furniture in an effort to

2016 - 2020

B

RITISH expat Patrick Clancy went into hospital for a routine shoulder operation and left six weeks later after a near-death brush with a controversial drug that left him unable to walk or eat.

Six years later, the 80-year-old still feels the mental and physical damage he suffered at the hands of the lethal drug, that he should never have been given.

The notorious painkiller Nolotil, is known to decrease the white blood cell count of Northern Europeans to dangerous levels, leaving them vulnerable to infections and sepsis.

While the medicine is a common painkiller in Spain, regulations were put in place banning the sale of the drug to Brits without a prescription in 2018.

For Clancy that date sadly came too late.

It was a year earlier on September 25, 2017, that the retired oil worker, from Surrey, was admitted to Hospital de Dénia-Marina for a routine shoulder replacement and then given Nolotil to ease the pain.

It seemed fine at first but after four days he started to feel ‘extremely unwell’ and was suffering from infections, cold sweats, fevers and fits.

Then 74, he was immediately admitted to intensive care and plunged into an induced coma, which he wouldn’t wake up from for six weeks.

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2012 - 2023 Best English language publication in Andalucia

James Bond, countess and flamenco singers were all dragged into famous Malaya case

claw back enough cash to settle civil liability claims from Marbella Town Hall and the tax authorities.

It was through Roca that Bond star Connery’s name was dragged in, with allegations of tax dodging and fraud over the sale of his famous villa, Malibu, on the Golden Mile.

It was eventually demolished to make way for 74 luxury apartments and the Scottish actor was eventually cleared of any involvement in the case.

Roca was eventually jailed for 20 years and paroled after he had served 12 years.

Isabel Garcia Marcos

The former deputy mayor, Garcia Marcos was ironically a one-time socialist councillor and ferocious critic of corruption in Marbella.

But, perhaps inevitably, she eventually became one of Roca’s favourite councillors and was caught saying ‘I don’t sign a piece of paper, or even read one, if I don’t get money’.

Police found an incredible €360,000 in cash at her home when she was arrested in 2003, leading to a threeand-a-half sentence, along with €700,000 in fines.

Nolotil nightmare still haunts me six years on

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A controversial drug still being handed to expats and northern Europeans - as the Olive Press revealed could kill again, believes ex-victim Patrick Clancy

By Yzabelle Bostyn

tionless’.

SPAIN’S BEST 35 WINES He said: “Instead O LIVE of being excited to PRESS come home on the NOLOTIL WARNIN day she came to pick me up to take me home for Christmas I just thought, ‘Oh, NEED FOR nothings changed’.

CHANGE “It was a shock to the system. If a bomb had dropped down beside me, I would’ve thought;952 147 834 ‘Look at that, it didn’t go off’.

In fact, Patrick couldn’t even talk about the experience until three years later.

Now, six years on, he tells the Olive Press he still experiences mental and physical side effects as a result of Nolotil.

“A doctor told me Nolotil is like a nuclear bomb going off in the body. Everytime I go to the hospital they say I’m alright, but I’m just not the same person anymore. It’s a very, very heavy burden.”

Patrick suffers a constant ‘pins and needles’ sensation in his extremities, random stabbing pains and frequent flu-like symptoms.

He also experiences consistent brain fog and extreme tiredness. He said: “I always want to put my head in a bucket of cold water. I’m not half as sharp as I used to be.”

But the worst of it, he says, is remembering the terrifyingly vivid nightmares he had while under treatment.

He recalls: “I’m a very nuts and bolts person.

Not very emotional. But when I talk about the BOTTOMS UP: The Olive Press chooses...

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He was put on dialysis due to kidney failure and diagnosed with septic shock after doctors discovered his body was fighting three infections at once.

Medical staff urged Patrick’s wife, Julie, to inform family in the UK to come immediately, knowing that if the infections reached his shoulder, the father of four’s days would be numbered.

“They didn’t think I’d last the weekend. It was absolutely awful for my family”, the granddad told the Olive Press.

“It was terrible because every single day it was like rolling the dice. It went on for six weeks and so obviously my family had to go back to England, not knowing if it was the last time they’d see me.”

The experience was particularly traumatic for Julie, who visited her husband of 34 years every day, as doctors mistakenly informed her that Patrick’s leg had been amputated and on another occasion, medical staff moved her husband without telling her, leading her to believe he had died.

Patrick, who had lived in Alicante for over 20 years, was in a coma for an alarming 39 days before doctors managed to revive him.

After recovering in hospital for two weeks, the Javea resident was sent to Fontilles, a former leper colony in the mountains of Alicante, to recover.

There, the expat spent six weeks relearning how to walk, sit up and eat again before being discharged just in time for Christmas.

However, the experience left Patrick ‘emo-

voice in Spain

November 3rd - November 16th 2023

A LETHAL painkiller is STILL being given to Brits five years after it was banned, the Olive Press can reveal.

It comes as a reader contacted us to sound the alarm after he was given the potentially deadly drug while receiving treatment at HCB EXCLUSIVE launching a lawsuit against the

By Yzabelle Bostyn Hospital in Denia, Alicante.

Spanish Ministry of Health after Nolotil, also known as Metamizol, she claims doctors are not followis the most common painkiller In October 2018, the drug was ing the guidelines and patients are in Spain and is often marketed banned for sale without still being given the drug ‘against as an alternative to Ibuprofen or scription to British people a pre- their will’. visiting Paracetmol.

Spain following a months’ long A spokesperson for the hospital campaign by this newspaper and said: “HCB Hospitals follows the tireless medical campaigner Cris- recommendations of the AEMPS, Deaths and particularly those for the forBut the drug has been linked to tina Garcia del Campo. several deaths and serious illness- Recommendations were also is- eign population, we are very aware es among British expats and tour- sued advising medical staff to of the recommendation not to preavoid giving the drug to patients scribe Nolotil to foreign patients.” ists visiting Spain.

Though usually harmless, Nolo- in urgent care and to carry out It insisted that the recommendation til can affect Northern Europe- follow up blood tests if the drug is is followed and patients are informed about the best available treatments. ans with fair complexions and is given for seven days or more. banned in the UK, Ireland, Swe- The directive note, issued by the WARNING: Cristina has campaigned Spanish Opinion Page 6 Medicine against Nolo den. the Olive Press Agency (AEMPS), recommended medical staff monitor patients given the drug to check for potentially deadly side effects like low white blood ‘You’re killing us!’ cell count and sepsis.

However Cristina, Tragic end founder of the AffectOVER 1,000 people took to the ed by Pharmaceutiof Palma to demand ‘less tourism,streets cals Association, says more life’, ahead of an EU tourism summit bethe guidelines are ing held in the city. ‘not strong enough’.

Protestors marched from Porta “It's worrying beCatalina to Passeig Born, wherede Santa a manicause this is somefesto backed by 77 groups was signed. thing that can kill The manifesto, read by author Tel: 902 123 282 902 123 282 KILL you, it has killed so gold, spoke out against the ‘lackClara InTHE DRUG: The Olive of’ susPress campaigned to ban many people,” she tainable tourism.

Nolotil She added there were far too many told the Olive Press. holiday rentals and labelled tourism Now, Cristina is a ‘devas-

Outrage as dangerous Spanish painkiller continues to be given to Brits despite being banned

Stars from Anne Hathaway to Jodie Whittaker keep visiting Ronda, find out why in our travel supplement inside

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“IT’S a dirty world that I don’t want to live in anymore.”

These were the intended last words of a British teen who had embarked on a suicide pact with her 16-yearold boyfriend in Marbella.

The privately-educated expat, 14, added: “I’m Sorry: To anyone who has ever loved/known or supported me, thank you, I love you and I will miss you.”

Bizarre

However, her heartfelt messages had a cruel, bizarre twist, when her British-Brazilian boyfriend Richard Fitzsimons managed to take his life off the top of the Corte Ingles department store, while she miraculously survived.

It came as a hero security guard somehow managed to grab the girl before she was able to plunge to her death after her lover.

In a tragically sad incident - that has shocked the coast and made headlines around the world - the teenager, who we are not naming for legal reasons, is now requiring serious Continues page 2

Issue 304

November 7th - November

17

20th 2018

errania de Ronda

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20th 2018

Andalucia’s city in the mountains leaders and is a hot ticket for world their wives despite Hemingway’s Elisa lukewarm words, writes

‘

wine, exNICE promenades, good to do…’ cellent food and nothing wrote off Thus Ernest Hemingway numerthe town where he spent the local ous holidays drinking no wine and carousing at corridas, of Rondoubt disappointing many his puzzlingly da’s proud residents with lacklustre review.

- including Most of today’s travellers ministers and Britain’s last two prime would certainan American First Lady has been ly disagree with him. Ronda most-visited crowned Andalucia’s thirdsee why. town and it’s not hard to is a true The so-called ‘City of Dreams’ of a cewanderlust gem and somewhat lebrity hang-out.

May, Anne HaThis year alone, Theresa Whittaker, thaway, Ricky Gervais, Jodie Scott Thomas Gordon Ramsay, Kristin Rajoy and Spain’s ex-premier Mariano the stunning have all allegedly visited locals in the mountain town... so say know.

Menendez

Obama

headlines Michelle Obama also madetouring the when she visited in 2010,the Moorish old town and discovering Sasha. dynasty with her daughter Novelli Celebrity chef Jean Christophe town after went house hunting in the falling in love with it in 2009. sierra setting, With its spectacular high and atmoleafy parks, cobbled lanes Ronda spheric ventas it’s no wonder of so many has stolen the hearts travellers. of writers Over the centuries a slewits timeless have waxed lyrical about and charmcharacter, stunning views ing locals. it the The German poet Rilke baptised took a ‘City of Dreams’, Orson Welles and shine to its bullfighting scene

GRAND TOUR-ISTS: Painters tackle the gorge, while (inset) recent visitors Anne Hathaway, Gordon Ramsey, Jodie Whittaker and Ricky Gervais

Continues on Page 18

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NOLOTIL VICTORY

A LETHAL painkiller believed to be responsible for the deaths of dozens of expats is finally being regulated in Spain.

Nolotil, which the Olive Press has investigated for nearly two years, has been

banned for tourists in Spain.

In a breakthrough move, The Spanish Medicine Agency (AEMPS) has finally issued a directive to all healthcare bodies to stop giving the drug to British and

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Irish tourists.

Expats in Spain will now be administered Nolotil on a short term prescription only. Furthermore it can only be prescribed after a detailed analysis of the patient’s medical history and heritage.

It will also have to be much more closely monitored.

It comes after an Olive Press investigation into the mysterious deaths of expats from the drug was launched 2016, in along with a 1,000-strong petition to have it regulated a year later.

Nolotil, also known as Metamizole, is banned in the UK, the US and most of Europe.

Despite this, the drug is still one of the most popular painkillers in Spain,

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for ENVIRONMENTAL groups are taking legal action against the Junta ‘failing to tackle toxic air’ in the Campo de Gibraltar. claimEcologistas en Accion has filed a complaint with the Health Ministry, ing nothing has been done to protect citizens from a rise in air pollutants caused by the expansion of ‘toxic’ industries in the Bay of Algeciras. polAccording to the green group, more than 10,000 tonnes of dangerous lutants were released into the atmosphere last year. well as This includes potentially lethal cancer-causing chemical benzene, as other fine particles. worst The writ comes as Cadiz province was officially declared to have the air quality in Spain. most And alarmingly, La Linea, which borders Gibraltar, ranks as the 30th polluted place in the world in terms of air quality.

The shocking stats were revealed in a damning World Health Organisation report which lists the world’s ‘most contaminated’ Continues page 11 towns and cities.

Adding salt to the wound, Cadiz also came bottom in

TOXIC: Oil refinery plumes black smoke into the Campo

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EXCLUSIVE

By Laurence Dollimore

A BRITISH expat couple are fighting to save their Malaga home from demolition over a technicality.

Gill and Bob Ward, both 74, have been locked in a battle with their town hall, which claims their house in Almayate is illegal.

Just yesterday the retired couple from Cornwall were given

Continues on Page 8

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THE Olive Press is giving away three pairs of tickets for two of the best concerts on the Costa del Sol this summer...

And all you have to do is answer two simple questions!

Michael Bolton takes to the stage for an emotive end of season night at Marbella’s Puente Romano on August 10, while Estepona is set for its biggest rock concert in years with mammoth

Doctors and dentists join Olive Press appeal for ban on dangerous painkiller Nolotil EXCLUSIVE

By Laurence Dollimore

one month to knock down their only property (pictured above).

In a court order seen by the Olive Press, the Wards are warned they will be held criminally responsible if they refuse.

“I don’t know what to do anymore, I’m at the end of my tether” Gill told the Olive Press, “I’m totally exhausted from the whole ordeal.”

The retired pair, who have now spent thousands of euros on legal costs, bought the old farmhouse ‘in ruins’ in 2004, and were given permission from Velez-Malaga town hall to rebuild it.

But when the original wall collapsed of its own accord during construction, the Wards’ architect told them it would be fine and that he would let the town hall know. Unfortunately for

tribute bands Think Floyd, Deeper Purple and Whole Lotta Led rocking out the greatest hits of Pink Floyd, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin at the Plaza del Toros on August 26.

For a chance to win a pair of tickets to see Bolton, just answer the question; what year was Michael Bolton born in?

For the Pink Purple Zep Fest in Estepona, just tell us; Where was Jimmy Page born? Email answers to the newsdesk@theolivepress.es.

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WIN WIN: Bolton and Pink Purple Zep Fest tickets

KILL THE DRUG

THE Olive Press is calling on Spain to ban a lethal painkiller that is killing countless of unsuspecting expats.

British dentists and doctors are supporting the ban after Briton Graham Ward, 75, complained to the Olive Press of how he was prescribed the deadly Nolotil drug by a dentist last week. It’s the very same drug that was blamed for killing his wife in 2006.

The Marbella-based expat was furious when he was told to take the painkiller by his Spanish dentist, after suffering from a difficult abscess.

His wife Mary, 59, had died after being prescribed the same drug following a double vasectomy at Costa del Sol Hospital.

“Within 24 hours she was in intensive care, her white blood cell count plummeted to zero within days,” explains Graham, a former computer HAPPIER TIMES: Graham with wife, and Billy Smyth technician, from London.

She never regained conscious- again.

Metamizole, Nolotil is banned ness and was on a life support “He said she would be alive if in the US, the UK, Ireland and machine for FOUR months, she hadn’t taken it, but I have most of Europe, but it is prebefore spending three years heard from dozens of Brits scribed widely in Spain. fighting the impact of the and Irish who have been given Irishman William ‘Billy’ drug, which led to organ fail- it,” added Graeme.

Smyth was given a five-day It is the third victim of the course of the drug in Februure.

“The chief surgeon at the hos- drug the Olive Press has re- ary. pital promised me he would ported on in under a year.

But when the 66-year-old renever prescribe that drug Sometimes known also as turned to a different Spanish

Need for more research

Dr Nina King, of Oasis Dental Care in Marbella, fully supports the campaign, telling the Olive Press the drug is not something she prescribes.

“It’s not a drug I use, I stick to safe and standard medication,” she said, “And after seeing what damage it can do, it’s a drug I won’t be using in the future.”

Marbella-based private doctor Dra. Victoria María Chacón Almeda also agrees the drug is dangerous. “I don’t prescribe the drug,” she told the Olive Press, “I have lots of British patients and I am aware of what it is capable of doing.

“There needs to be a lot more research on its impact.”

doctor to get a renewal in April, tests showed the drug had caused a toxic poisoning in his bone marrow and his white blood cell was dangerously low.

Billy, a keen sportsman, developed sepsis and necrotising fasciitis as a result and required ‘radical surgery’ to remove the affected tissue in an attempt to save his life.

The dad-of-two later died from septic shock – believed to be linked to taking the Nolotil.

Another British expat Hugh Wilcox was prescribed the same medication for mild shoulder pain on the Costa del Sol. He developed severe head Continues on Page 2

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which despite various side effects,Mosquito Screens can cause a rapid drop in white blood cells, leaving patients unable to fight infections. Medical translator, Cristina Garcia del Campo, who has pulled together hundreds of case studies from victims for the AEMPS’ probe, said she was ‘very happy’ the authorities have finally reacted. Following the results of her KILL THE rigorous investigation she DRUG has now demanded that the drug must not be sold without a prescription and a detailed patient analysis.

“I am very happy that the problem has been dealt with,” she told the Olive Press. “I will be making sure that the AEMPS recommendations are carried out and if necessary make sure it’s banned completely.” The Olive Press began investigating after a trio of expat families told us how their relatives had died unnecessarily in excruciating pain, after taking the drug in Andalucia.

In April, the paper revealed the first steps towards regulation had been taken, with Marina Salud, a big health network in Alicante, issuing a warning to stop administering the drug to British, Irish and Scandinavian patients. estepona@ibexinsure.com

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tating industry’.

The protest on Monday also called end to pollution, overcrowding for an and the growth of more tourist lets.

It comes after growing frustration residents who claim their quality from is being sacrificed for the comfort of life of visTOO MUCH: locals rail against itors. 'overtourism' The protest was in response to the meeting of EU tour- who ism ministers in Palma. rent legally.”

She also highlighted climate change The European Tourism Forum brought industry leaders lenge as a signific together to discuss the social sustainability for the islands. of tourism.

“We are a limited, small and fragile The summit aimed to find ways to promote ‘alternative’ just over territory. destinations. one million inhabitants and receive 1 tourists a year.

Balearic President Marga Prohens urged EU leaders to “We want bring in new laws to regulate holiday to minimise the negative effects rentals. of and be sustainable from an economic, She said: “Holiday lets present a great opportunity to ronmental social share the wealth generated by tourism. point of view. If just one of these a However, illegal everything thi ones create unfair competition for hotels and owners Ministers fails.” took part in a series of discussions at mit this week to try and combat the negative i the trade.

In particular, they signed a joint declaration in f social and sustainable tourism.

In the declaration, ministers agreed to advo ‘greener, more digital, inclusive, resilient and See pages 9 & 11 sive’ tourism.

They also vowed to create job opportunities and the ‘long-term well-being of everyone in the valu especially the local populations’.

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Property

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November 2023

Courted by courtyards

NG

otil alongside

cant chal-

. We have 15 million

f tourism and enviings fails, the summpact of

favour of

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CREDIT: Photo by Jon Clarke

The incredible allure of crafty courtyards has been turned into an artform in Spain, some with roses, others with geraniums and some with simply palms. We take a look at their history.

VARIETY: Palacio de las Dueñas in Sevilla to a typical Cordoba patio and a modern design

STAY IN THE NEST!

Y

OUNGSTERS in Spain are among the oldest in Europe to flee the nest.

The average age to leave home is an incredible 31 years, the third highest on the continent.

Only Greeks and Slovakians leave home later.

The percentage of young adults living with their parents is over 60% in the case of 18 to 34 year olds, and 50% for 25 to 34 year olds.

The lack of affordable housing in cities and popular tourist spots, including the costas and the Balearic Islands, is the key issue.

According to a new OECD Economic Survey on housing across Europe, Spain has a long-standing issue due to

Lack of affordable housing is keeping Spaniards at home into their 30s

By Alex Trelinski

continually rising prices.

It blames the ‘difficult transition from education to the labour market’ and adds it creates ‘a difficult transition to independent life for young Spaniards’.

High rental prices mean youngsters are priced out of the market, while there is a critically low supply of council housing.

According to the report average rents have risen by 40% over the last decade compared to just 10% in salaries.

Yet, alarmingly, only 1% of Spain's hou-

sing stock is 'social housing' compared to 7% in other OECD nations.

The report did however sound a note of optimism over the new Housing Law, which is seeking to ‘address the lack of affordable housing’ through regulations and tax measures.

The plan to allocate 40% of new residential construction to social housing half of it for social rental units - ‘could generate benefits for lower-income households’, ruled the report.

“But only if carefully monitored to ensure that such inclusionary zoning does not reduce incentives to start new projects or drive up market prices,” it added.

NOT LEAVING: Spanish are the third oldest to fly the nest

8

PROPERTY Mark Stucklin

t.com www.spanishpropertyinsigh

E

CONOMICS professor at Barcelona University and authority on the Spanish property market, Gonzalo Bernardos, forecasts a soft patch for the market over the next 12 months, with business picking up again in the second half of 2024.

Speaking at a real estate trade event in Madrid, Gonzalo Bernardos said home sales and house prices will

November 17th - November 30th 2023

SOFT LANDING Spanish real estate guru forecasts declining sales and prices until the second half of 2024 fall in 2024, but the trend will start to improve as next year progresses.

He estimates that sales will fall 15pc this year compared to last year’s boom, and that prices, though stable for now, will soon start to trend down. He forecasts a decline in sales

of 10pc in 2024, and a price decline of 3pc, as the market is dragged down by tighter mortgage financing conditions.

“Spain has entered into a real estate recession as household purchasing power has declined, even though the tourism sector’s output has increased and the economy hasn’t contracted, because the evolution of home sales doesn’t depend on employment so much as the evolution of credit,” explained Bernardos.

Interest rates have risen (see chart left), and banks are looking to reduce their exposure to real estate in the expectation of rising mortgage defaults. “Even though financial institutions are enjoying record results they are no longer offering mortgage

LTVs of 90 to 100pc,” he said. “They will now only finance 80pc, and only to borrowers with an income of three times the mortgage quota.”

As a result of tighter finan- GURU: Gonzalo Bernardos forecasts an ease in interest rates cing conditions, the market share of foreign bu- say about current government poliyers is increasing in the most popular cy aimed at increasing the supply of destinations. “That’s why in cities like affordable housing (and attracting Barcelona and Madrid the presence young voters) that will not deliver the of foreigners is growing in importan- desired results. He argued that the ce, because local demand is decli- shortage of new homes will continue ning,” he said. for the foreseeable future, adding Economic problems on both sides of that “the development of land for the Atlantic, with Germany already building new homes has only taken in recession, and the US flirting with place in the metropolitan areas of it, mean that interest rates are likely to Madrid and Málaga.” start declining next year, which will The mismatch between supply and help the housing market recover in demand in most big Spanish cities the second half, argues Bernardos, is “crushing the middle class, aswho forecasts that Eurozone interest king them to pay €350,000 for a rates will end next year down at flat of 50 sqm, prices that used to 3.5pc, compared to 4.5pc today. be reserved for the luxury sector,” Bernardos also had critical words to he warned.

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PROPERTY

November 17th - November 30th 2023

9

DALI-CIOUS!

THE iconic works of Spanish art genius Salvador Dali have inspired a wave of ‘melting’ homewares.

Among the most trendy items flying off the shelves are the seemingly liquid disco balls pouring off tables by designer Kelly Wearstler, alongside a super trippy rug by Henry Holland for Floor Story.

Dali was a surrealist painter from Catalunya whose psychedelic works famously featured melting clocks and other distorted objects.

The maestro died in 1989, but it seems his in-

Canaries to regulate holiday homes THE Canary Islands are planning to ban holiday homes in certain municipalities and tourist areas.

It comes following an increase in what it dubs 'gentrification' and ‘touristification'.

Opinions of residents are now to be canvassed ahead of drafting a new law with some areas having up to a third of housing that is purely for tourist purposes.

Besides introducing 'zero growth' areas, certain municipalities will get a percentage limit on the number of new holiday homes that can be built.

The government hopes to approve its new law on tourist housing next year.

Currently, there are 47,051 regulated tourist accommodations in the community, which offer 195,532 beds.

This totals 3.6% of the regional housing stock – the second highest in Spain, only beaten by the Balearic Islands (5%).

It comes after Idealista discovered the number of long term rentals has fallen by 22% in the Canaries in the last four years.

MORTGAGE WOES THE average new mortgage is at a 15-year high.

The official average rate granted in Spain in September reached 4.4% - its highest level since February 2009, when it stood at 4.3%.

The average rate has risen for the 19th consecutive month.

The 12-month Euribor rate, the index to which most mortgages are linked, closed September at 4.15% compared to 4.07% in August and 2.23% in September 2022.

CLOCKING ON: Designers, including Kelly Wearstler and (inset) Tom Dixon are influenced by Dali’s famous melting clocks picture

fluence is still being felt in the decor business.

Other Dali-inspired items include a Melt Portable LED lamp by Tom Dixon.

Even H&M Home has cottoned on, with the high street store selling a new collection of vases and candle holders which appear to resemble liquid forms.

HAMLET BACK ON THE MARKET Owners look for €280,000 profit by flipping entire village bought for just €300,000 a year ago

Toledo constructor Oscar Torres a year ago.

EVER fancied being lord of the The village consists of 44 houses, a bar, manor?

Well now’s your chance after an a church, a school, abandoned hamlet went back on a swimming pool, a sports centre and sale again.

Salto de Castro, in Castilla y León, a former Guardia was only bought for €300,000 by Civil barracks, but minus any residents.

Just 100 metres from Portugal’s border in the isolated Zamora province, it had been set to become a rural tourist hub.

But now, after various architectural ‘improvements’ it has gone back on the market for €580,000.

It is in the heart of the Meseta Iberica UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with stunning views of the Douro River.

Last year's sale LOCATION, LOCATION: Salto sits overlooking the Douro river by the Portugal border was said to have

By Alex Trelinski

attracted offers from Saudi Arabia, Brazil and the UK as well as 20 other investors.

The entire community was constructed by Iberdrola in the 1940s to house workers building the dam adjacent to AMENITIES: Include a church, school and sports centre it, however, once the project was finished, it was aban- Experts have estimated it will cost doned and has stood empty for around €2 million to make it workable as a key visitor attraction. more than 30 years.

Squatter farce as thug takes over €3m villa A SQUATTER has been living in a €3 million villa in Mallorca for a year, it has emerged.

The 21-year-old took over the stunning chalet in upmarket Son Vida.

The area is loved by celebrities, with the Spanish royal family, Michael Caine, Jennifer Lopez, Sting and others known to have stayed there.

The squatter reportedly stumbled upon a chalet last year while driving around at night and discovered it was empty.

He returned the next day and decided to move in, before calling a security company and asking them UPMARKET: Son Vida, urbanisation where a squatter took over to install an alarm – which, incred-

luxury chalet

ibly, they did without question.

He then hired the neighbour’s cleaner to make sure his new home was kept spick and span.

His brazen behaviour did not end there, however.

In June, he visited the Safari Zoo, in Sant Llorenc with his partner and her young daughter – the latter of whom took a liking to one of the ponies.

Within minutes, the animal was loaded into a van and taken to the luxury chalet.

The stolen pony was recovered days later and the squatter was arrested – although he was not kicked out of the home.

He was picked up again weeks lat-

er after stealing a pit bull from a woman as she was walking her pet on Calle Manacor, in nearby Palma.

The thug returned the dog a day later after receiving multiple threats from the woman’s family, but despite his arrest, was not turfed out of the chalet.

A few days ago he was arrested once again by cops after the holding company which owns the property filed for an eviction request with a court in Palma.

It is not known when the request was filed or how long it took for the man to be arrested.

It is likely he has been allowed to remain at the chalet until a judgement is made.

10

PROPERTY

November 17th - November 30th 2023

BE SQUARE

S

The Spanish have long understood that courtyards offer a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living

By Dilip Kuner

The history and cultural significance of these courtyards, will help you incorporate the essence of

Photos by Jon Clarke

PANISH courtyards have long been admired for their timeless beauty and tranquility.

These exquisite outdoor spaces have played a significant role in Spanish architecture and culture for centuries. Today, they continue to inspire interior designers around the world, as they seamlessly blend the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living.

EXQUISITE: The breathtaking splendour of the main entrance courtyard at Sevilla’s Palacio de las Duenas and (right) a contemporary design example

HotSpring Mallorca

them into your own home.

The tradition of Spanish courtyards dates back to ancient times, with influences from various civilizations such as the Romans and Moors.

These courtyards were originally designed as central gathering spaces within homes, providing natural light, ventilation, and a sense of privacy.

They served as oases from the bustling city streets, offering a serene retreat for relaxation and contemplation.

Throughout history, Spanish courtyards have also played a significant role in social and cultural gatherings.

They have been venues for celebrations, music and dance performan-

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PROPERTY

November 17th - November 30th 2023

11

RIOT OF COLOUR: A courtyard in Cordoba, made famous for its geraniums

ces, and even religious ceremonies. The iconic ‘patio’ in Spain, often adorned with colourful tiles, intricate ironwork, and lush greenery, has become a symbol of Spanish identity and a testament to the rich architectural heritage of the country.

SPANISH COURTYARD DESIGN ELEMENTS Spanish courtyards are characterised by a unique blend of architectural and design features that create a harmonious and inviting atmosphere.

One of the key elements is the use of water features, such as fountains or small pools, which not only provide a soothing sound but also cool the

VERDANT: The celebrated Palacio de Viana in Cordoba has over a dozen courtyards

Continues on next page

Real estate boutique specialising in the promotion and sale of luxury housing in Majorca; with an extensive knowledge of the island and widespread experience in luxury real estate.

This stunning front-line seaview apartment it is a unique opportunity, offering spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea from its spacious terrace.

The apartment located on the 6th floor, boasts three big bedrooms and two bathrooms that offer just the right amount of privacy, while the kitchen on the right-hand side is perfect for cooking up your favorite meals. The living room is an open and inviting space that lets in plenty of natural light,and it offers unobstructed views of the sea. The master bedroom is situated on the right side of the terrace and featuring an en suite bathroom withbeautiful brown stone. The terrace itself is a true gem, providing the perfect spot to relax and take in the stunning surroundings. From here, you can enjoy front-line seaviews of the sparkling turquoise waters and golden sands of Cala Major beach. Walking down the building from the apartment you have private access to Cala Major beach. The apartment also has alarge storage room for all the things you need to store, and elevator.

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100m² 15m²

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Bedroom:

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12

PROPERTY

November 17th - November 30th 2023

INCORPORATING A SPANISH COURTYARD INTO YOUR HOME Bringing the essence of a Spanish courtyard into your home can transform any space into a tranquil oasis. Whether you have a large backyard or a small balcony, there are various ways to incorporate the elements of a Spanish courtyard into your interior design.

If you have a spacious outdoor area, consider creating a dedicated courtyard space. Start by defining the space with a pergola or trellis, providing shade and privacy.

Incorporate a water feature, such as a fountain or a small pond, to add a calming ambiance. Use colorful tiles on the walls or floors to infuse the space with vibrancy. Complete the look with comfortable outdoor furniture and potted plants to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

For those with limited outdoor space, consider creating a mini Spanish courtyard indoors. Choose a sunny spot near a window and designate it as your courtyard area. Use large potted plants to create a green oasis, and hang colorful tiles on the wall as a focal point.

Incorporate a small water feature, such as a tabletop fountain, to add a soothing element.

By carefully selecting furniture and decor that reflect the essence of Spanish courtyards, you can create a charming and inviting space within your home.

ATMOSPHERIC: The main patio at Ronda Romantica is the perfect place to relax From previous page

surrounding air.

These water features often serve as the focal point of the courtyard, drawing the eye and creating a sense of tranquility.

Another essential design element is the use of vibrant and colourful tiles.

Spanish tiles, known as ‘azulejos,’

COBBLES: At Palacio de Viana the detail is extraordinary

are renowned for their intricate patterns and bold hues. From geometric shapes to floral motifs, these

WRAP UP WARM!!

tiles add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the courtyard.

Whether used on the walls, floors, or even as decorative accents, they instantly infuse the space with character and charm.

Incorporating natural elements is also crucial in Spanish courtyard design. Lush greenery, such as potted plants, climbing vines, and citrus trees, adds a refreshing touch of nature to the space. Wooden pergolas or trellises covered in flowering vines provide shade and create a cozy atmosphere.

Additionally, the use of natural materials, such as stone, terracotta, and wrought iron, adds an authentic and rustic touch to the overall design.

Tips for keeping your Spanish property cosy this winter

A

S the chill of winter sets in, ensuring your Spanish property remains a warm and welcoming haven becomes a top priority. While Spain is known for its mild climate, winter can still bring a nip in the air. Here are some practical tips from VillaMia to keep your Spanish home cosy and comfortable throughout the colder season.

1. EMBRACE TEXTILES AND LAYERS

Infuse warmth into your home by incorporating soft textiles and layers.

Opt for plush throw blankets, cosy area rugs, and thick curtains. Not only do these elements add a touch of luxury, but they also provide insulation, keeping the cold at bay.

Consider draping your sofas with warm blankets and adding extra cushions for both style and comfort.

2. SEAL GAPS AND CRACKS Prevent drafts by identifying and sealing gaps and cracks around windows and doors. Use window sealant and draft excluders to keep warm and cold air out. This simple yet effective measure helps maintain a comfortable temperature and contributes to energy efficiency, ultimately reducing heating costs.

3.

INVEST IN QUALITY HEAT I N G SYSTEMS Ensure your heating systems are top-notch before the winter chill sets in. Regular maintenance is critical to efficient performance, whether you have central heating, radiators, or a fireplace. Consider upgrading to energy-efficient heaters or installing smart thermostats for better control over your property’s temperature.

4. EMBRACE SUNLIGHT AS A NATURAL HEATER Take advantage of Spain’s abundant sunshine during the winter months.

Open curtains and blinds during the day to allow natural sunlight to warm your home. This adds a cheerful ambience and is a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.

5. WARM LIGHTING CHOICES Opt for warm-toned lighting to create a cosy atmosphere. Choose bulbs with warm colour temperatures to emulate the gentle glow of sunlight. This subtle change in lighting can significantly impact the perceived warmth of your living spaces.

6. THERMAL INSULATION FOR ROOFS AND WALLS If you own the property, consider investing in thermal insulation for roofs and walls to regulate indoor temperatures. Proper insulation helps retain heat, making your

property more energy-efficient and reducing the need for constant heating. This long-term investment not only enhances comfort but also contributes to sustainability.

Michelle Hughes, owner of VillaMia estate agency on the Arenal, said: “Many people moving to Spain don’t think of heating, the property’s orientation or how properties are not insulated here, such as in the UK with carpets and thick walls. After being in the area for a winter, you soon realise the importance of winter sun and doing small things that can really make a difference. I will be using my electricity blanket and door draft excluders soon.”

952 147 834 * Vo l u n t a r y i n s u r a n c e c o v e r. S u b j e c t t o c o m p a n y u n d e r w r i t i n g c o n d i t i o n s . *Data extracted from process closure surveys after using our Roadside Assistance and breakdown services.

TheOlivePress-256x342-legal0823.indd 1

15/8/23 18:05

14

PROPERTY

Turning

Japanese

IMPOSING: Japanese style pavillion features exterior walls made of black bamboo

November 17th - November 30th 2023

By Laurence Dollimore

T

HIS ‘GODAI pavilion’ in Cantabria will have you turning Japanese thanks to its stunning interiors and views all inspired by the Far East country.

The structure is actually a guest house which has been attached to a pool at a pre-existing property.

Designed by Baldo Arquitectu-

ra, the pool house is named after the Japanese term ‘godai’, which represents the five elements in the country’s philosophy: earth, water, fire, wind, and emptiness.

Continuing the Japanese theme, the ceilings have been designed to replicate origami, while the interior walls are made from bamboo, giving a ‘walnut effect’.

The floors and ceilings are also crafted from bamboo, paying homage to traditional rooms in Japan known as ‘washitsu’.

Meanwhile the exterior walls are made of black bamboo, broken up by huge bay windows which look onto the jaw-dropping swimming pool.

PROPERTY

November 17th - November 30th 2023

15

SLEEK: A ‘walnut’ bamboo is used for the interior walls

STUNNING: Guest house is attached to the end of a gorgeous pool

16

PROPERTY

November 17th - November 30th 2023

CHARMING: The house in the tiny village of Fornes in Granada

START: how it was (left) stripped back (middle) and the final result (right and far right)

A

BRITISH retiree has transformed a rundown farm house in southern Spain into a stunning two-bedroom home.

Michelle Garrod, 58, bought the centuries’ old building in Fornes, Granada, for just €45,000.

The former Lloyds financial adviser, from Bristol but based on the Isle of Man, spent around the same on construction works over the past three years.

It was finally completed in August and is now worth at least €125,000 - equalling a profit of €35,000 if she decided to sell, although she’s in no rush.

“I’m absolutely in love with it, it’s like my baby,” she told the Olive Press.

“My sister calls me the armchair designer, I just sat at home looked at ideas and relayed them over to the

s-256x170-CAR-4.indd 1

Armchair designer

British part-time expat rebuilds centuries’ old farmhouse in Granada - with stunning results EXCLUSIVE

By Laurence Dollimore

English builders we use in Spain and they did an amazing job.

“We tried to keep as much of the building’s original character as possible.”

The building was used in past centuries as a simple shed to store hay for horses. It formed part of a quadrant of houses constructed some 200 years ago by local farmers.

Michelle added: “It was so horrible and damp at first and the smell was incredible.

“The builders were brilliant and they took out all the internal walls downstairs. It’s double fronted, but at the back it narrowed, so we put in bifold aluminium doors which slide right open and flood the interior with light.

“In the little alcove we put a

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kitchen, but it’s all open plan and we kept all the original beams that we could, made from local poplar trees.

“We took up the floor and re-concreted and in the back of the garden we replaced the septic tank with a plunge pool, which has seats built in.”

Michelle is hoping the property will accrue more value after plans were revealed this year for a new road connecting the town to the coast in just 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, Fornes is becoming somewhat of a tourist attraction thanks to its natural beauty.

Nearby is the Roman spa town of Alhama de Granada, featuring a stunning blue lake and free thermal baths.

Michelle adds: “The skies are also amazing here because there is such little light pollution.

“You can see the bats and swallows from the balcony, which overlooks

the garden.”

Michelle used stones from the local riverbed to wall the garden, and also installed an outdoor shower.

This is not Michelle’s first foray into house design, having already been nominated for awards back in the UK - not bad considering she sees it as her ‘hobby’.

Her ‘House of Glass’ on the Isle of Man was nominated by the BBC Northwest for Best Architectural Design. It was also put up for Best Coastal House on Rightmove.

Michelle adds: “I would tell anyone thinking about flipping a house in Spain to just go for it, it can be done, just make sure you use builders you can trust.

“We got almost everything from Leroy Merlin, it doesn’t have to be as complicated as you might think.”

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TRANSFORMED: Septic tank became a pool

Villa with private pool in Santa Ponsa, Mallorca, 4 Bed, 4 Bath, Parking, AC & Heating

This luxurious property sits on a generous 1051 m² plot and boasts a spacious 622 m² of built area. The villa features four spacious bedrooms, two of which are enͲsuite, providing privacy and comfort for everyone in the household, plus an office that could be used as a fifth bedroom if required. The master suite also has a spacious mirrored dressing area and very large enͲsuite bathroom with separate toilet area.One of the highlights of this property is the private swimming pool, where you can take a refreshing dip on hot summer days or simply relax by the poolside and soak up the Mediterranean sun. The pool is on the same level as the main house and is accessed by a wonderful covered terrace from the lounge / dining area. €2,400,000 Click on our QR code to see full information, photos, virtual tour and floor plan

info@imperial-properties.com

+34 971 692 434

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EXCLUSIVE PROPERTIES FOR SALE

CALA MAYOR | 1 BED | 1 BATH | 50 M2 REF: STRANDPA8034 | PRICE: 273,000€ MACA ALOY: +34 611 692 661

PALMA | 1 BED | 1 BATH | 58 M2 REF: STRANDPA4014 | PRICE: 475,000€ MARC CABRERA: +34 699 02 35 47

PORT DALCÚDIA | 2 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 231 M2 REF: STRANDPA7023 | PRICE: 890,000€ JOAN MORRO: +34 622 324 522

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ANDRATX | 4 BEDS | 550 M2 REF: STRANDPA5020 | PRICE: 4,520,000€ JUAN PABLO JAZHAL: +34 663 380 199

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CALL OR WHATSAPP OUR AGENTS TO BOOK A VIEWING TODAY! YOU CAN FIND MORE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTIES ON OUR WEBSITE. CONTACT US: +34 686 012 872 | MALLORCA@STRAND.ES | STRAND.ES

November 17th - November 30th 2023

19

OUT: Roca leaving jail after 12 years, while (above) Pantoja and Muñoz were seldom off the celebrity pages

GET IT WHILE YOU CAN! Subscription to the Olive Press website for the equivalent of less than 70 cent per week!

T Julian Muñoz

A former waiter, Muñoz – nicknamed ‘Cachuli’ or ‘chancer’ – also successfully rose from nothing to become the mayor of Marbella in little more than a decade.

As the boyfriend of the famous singer Isabel Pantoja, his face frequently appeared in gossip magazines throughout Spain.

During his short term of office he publicly fell out with Roca who had him ousted as mayor.

He was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison for perverting the course of justice, embezzlement and bribery, but released in 2021 due to a ‘severe and incurable illness’.

Despite this claim, he has been regularly spotted at the Real Padel club in Marbella and various golf clubs, enjoying cheeseburgers and glasses of wine.

Isabel Pantoja

Famous singer and ex-girlfriend of Muñoz, Pantoja was charged in a separate case and faced a huge fine and three years in prison, for helping Muñoz launder the money he received in bribes.

The star was also accused of obtaining large sums of money during her relationship with the former mayor.

In 2014, seven years after her arrest, she was handed two years in prison for money laundering and ordered to pay €1.15 million in fines.

She spent less than 18 months behind bars before being released on licence.

Montserrat Corulla

VICTIM: Patrick was put into a coma for six weeks nightmares I burst into tears, I cry my eyes out. Every single one scared me to death.”

“After only taking a few tablets over four days, I was in serious trouble. I was very fortunate because I am a strong person. I often think, thank goodness I stopped taking them because I might not have survived otherwise.”

In the years following his experience, Patrick says doctors have suggested his case could have in-part inspired the 2018 regulations.

He said: “It’s good but I feel cheated by the fact that all they’ve done is create an advisory and not a statute.”

“From my point of view, the question is what is a life worth? The problem is that it is a very good painkiller and it must be cheap because they dish them out like smarties.”

“Something needs to be done because people are still being affected. Others will suffer because they are turning a blind eye.”

Now, Cristina Garcia del Campo, an activist who has been fighting for greater restrictions on the drug, has launched a lawsuit against the Spanish Ministry of Health due to their inaction over Nolotil.

She urges those concerned to support the Asociación De Afectados Por Fármacos (Association for Those Affected by Pharmaceuticals) or donate to their Go Fund Me.

Nicknamed the Lady of Marbella, the Catalan lawyer was accused of being one of the main stooges for Roca.

Branded the mala mas sexy (sexiest baddy) of the case by gossip magazines, it is thought she was in charge of Roca’s investments and under his supervision became responsible for his money laundering in Madrid and Marbella.

She was sentenced to three-and-a-half years for money laundering in 2016 and was handed a mammoth fine of €30 million.

Marisol Yague

A former singer, Yague (above) was appointed as mayor by Roca following a vote of no confidence against Muñoz in 2003.

According to investigators she was Roca’s puppet, visiting him at his offices on Mondays to receive instructions and she allegedly took €1.8m in bribes from him.

In October 2013, she was sentenced to six years in prison and handed fines of more than €2 million.

She went to prison in January 2016 and a year later received another two-year sentence for embezzlement for using granite and marble from the municipal warehouse to renovate her house, called La Madrugada.

Jose Avila Rojas

Born in Granada, Avila Rojas is another of the many contractors involved in the case.

He was sentenced to a total of three-and-a-half years in prison and ordered to pay €16 million in fines.

Tomas Olivo Lopez

Among his many projects, business mogul Lopez owns a number of shopping centres including La Cañada in Marbella and the controversial Centro Nevada, in Granada.

He had been facing five years imprisonment and fines of up to €4.8 million after being investigated in the case, however he was eventually absolved in 2018 and went on to win a staggering €165 million from the Junta, whom he sued for paralysing works on a business complex.

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Our exclusive coverage of the water bills scandal in La Viñuela, for example, which saw Brits lumped with invoices of up to €70,000, was followed up by the Daily Mail and even Spanish newspapers, including Diario Sur. Thanks to our subscription model, we are able to actually send journalists out on jobs, which this month included exclusive coverage of the anti-government protests in Madrid and the dramatic shooting in broad daylight in Guadalmina, Marbella.

Supporting us via subscriptions allows us to continue this, frankly, important work, with no other English-language newspaper in Spain coming close to doing what we do.

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A retired footballer who once captained Atletico Madrid, he became a councillor in Marbella in 1999 for the Grupo Independiente Liberal (GIL), founded by long-time Atletico president, Jesus Gil y Gil. After the local mayor was arrested he briefly took office in 2006 as an interim mayor, but was soon arrested himself.

He was sentenced to five years and six months in prison in 2016 on fraud and briber y charges.

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Or purchase a full year’s subscription for €32.50, equalling less than 70 cents per week.

Expats caught in the web It’s not just the Spaniards that got caught up in this huge operation.

A total of 11 foreigners were also embroiled in the scandal.

These included the German countess Alexandra Sybilla Sofie Grafin Von Bismark, Roca’s employee, Swedish born Karin Marika Mattson, Sergio Gilbert Garcia, born in Gibraltar, and Salvador Gardoqui Arias from France who was known to be one of Roca’s front-men.

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BUSINESS

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20

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THE European Commission says it expects Spain to be the fastest growing of the four major economies in the eurozone until 2025.

Brussels’ calculations predict that the Spanish economy will grow at a rate of 2.4% this year, slow down to 1.7% next year and regain some pace in 2025 - a year in which GDP would rebound by 2%.

The EU’s forecasts place the country above the three great powers of the bloc: Germany, France and

Italy in that order.

The Commission’s analysts point out that none of these three countries will manage to grow above 1.5% in the next two years.

In fact, in the case of Germany, a small contraction of the economy is expected as early as this year.

The Commission believes that household consumption will be the driving force behind the Spanish economy next year.

As inflation eases — expected to

fall to 3.4% in 2024 — households should regain some of the purchasing power lost during the economic crisis.

In addition, it is expected that jobs will continue to be created – albeit at a slower pace than so far – which will also help to boost consumption.

The Commission expects the unemployment rate to close at 12.1% this year and fall to 11.1% in two years’ time.

RICH GET RICHER

Forbes list throws spotlight on growing fortunes of wealthy elite THE wealthiest people in Spain got richer by 37% last year despite the Ukraine war and inflation according to the latest Forbes list.

Inditex fashion group founder Amancio Ortega - who has been on top since 2014 - saw his fortune grow by 53% to €81.8 billion.

The stock market revaluation of Inditex contributed to this, but also the fact that the valuation of Pontegadea - Amancio

2022 Imputed Tax Deadline: 31st December 2023

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Ortega's investment arm in the real estate business - shows it is worth almost €15 billion.

With a net worth of €8.8 billion, the founder of Inditex climbs eight steps in the ranking of the largest fortunes in the world and now lies in 13th place internationally.

The top five in Spain – Amancio Ortega and his daughter Sandra (Inditex); Rafael del Pino (Ferrovial); Juan Carlos Escotet (Abanca) and Juan Roig (Mercadona) are worth a combined €102.7 billion.

TOP MAN: Amancio Ortega is the richest person in Spain

Amancio Ortega's fortune is more than double the sum of the rest of the fortune holders that make up the top 10.

Telecom swoop

VODAFONE SPAIN has been sold to UK telecoms investor Zegona Communications in a deal valued at up to €5 billion.

Zegona will pay at least €4.1 billion in cash and a further €900 million in financing taking the form of preference shares.

Vodafone Spain is the third biggest telecoms network in the country after Movistar-Telefonica and Orange.

The group launched a strategic review of the business in Spain earlier this year after suffering hefty sales falls, blaming a highly competitive market.

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His daughter Sandra is second in the list and the only woman in the top five with €7.1 billion - 31.5% more than last year.

The chairman of Ferrovial, Rafael Del Pino y Calvo-Sotelo, with €5.9 billion, remains in third place, although his fortune has grown by 55.3%.

The chairman and largest shareholder of Abanca, Juan Carlos Escotet, with a fortune of €4 billion, 25% more, is in fourth place this year and displaces the chairman of Mercadona, Juan Roig, in fifth place, with €3.9 billion - up 14.7%.

THE EUROPEAN DENTAL PRACTICE Established 1989

EMERGENCIES: 636 308 789 Tel: 971 681 439 www.theeuropeandentalpractice.com Dr.Mónica Bonet – University of Barcelona Dr. Yasmina Adebibe – B.D.S London Susan Taylor-Vickers – BSc, EDH Mercadona Centre, Son Caliu, Palma Nova

SPAIN'S Argal Alimentation, which produces high grade meat products, has linked up with US firm Smithfield Foods in a strategic alliance.

Smithfield’s European operations will assume a 50.1% stake in Argal, based on a medium-term plan with the agreed framework of joint management.

Argal offers a wide range of charcuterie and other packaged meats, including cooked ham, cured ham, bacon, turkey, cold cuts, sausages, fuet, pates, among others as well as ready-to-eat meals, all made with high-quality raw materials.

LA CULTURA

Adaptable genius

THE grandson of Pablo Picasso says that if the legendary Spanish painter was alive today he might be experimenting with digital art.

As the 50th anniversary of Picasso’s death continues to be marked in Spain and France with a series of exhibitions called 'Celebracion Picasso', Bernard Ruiz Picasso believes the Malaga-born artist would have moved with the times.

“He could be using NFTs or digital art. He changed techniques,” he said.

“He was the most important artist of the 20th century and had a great hope that he could do something to make things better.”

LOOKING FOR MORE CULTURE STORIES? Scan to visit our website

STONE AGE WAR

Mass grave from 5,000 years ago is discovered in Spain THE unexpected discovery of 300 fossilised human skeletons in what’s thought to be a mass grave has stunned experts and hints at a violent conflict dating back 5,000 years.

Researchers found that injuries to the skulls indicate a highly unusual and savage conflict for the Neolithic era.

The find was made in the Rioja Alavesa of Laguardia in the Basque country with a report on the astonishing site recently published.

Further excavations re-

By Walter Finch

vealed a 20sqm shelter which housed the human remains of around 338 individuals buried in ‘atypical positions,’ including face-down.

An armoury of 52 arrowheads, 64 cutting blades, two polished stone axes, and five tools made of bone were found alongside the remains.

The fossilised skulls showed signs of unhealed traumas, which indicate

GRIM: The mass grave dates back 5,000 years

the injuries caused the deaths of up to 78 individuals.

Disney attraction A PUBLIC vote has named The Alhambra the top spot in Spain for a Disney film.

The entertainment giant launched a survey to see which Spanish landmarks viewers would like to see on the big screen.

Granada’s famous monument took top spot, with 29% of the votes.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the palace is one of Spain’s most visited tourist destinations.

In second place was the country’s most visited attraction, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

And in third spot was Sevilla Cathedral, with 9% of the votes.

The city has already featured in a Disney film, with the Plaza de España used in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones.

OP QUICK CROSSWORD

OP SUDOKU

November 17th - November 30th 2023

Across 1 Harp on about Jane Eyre, for example (6) 5 Encourage (6) 8 Performed surgery (8) 9 Quartz grains (4) 10 Punch (4) 11 Transcendent (7) 13 Jericho was, until Joshua arrived (6) 16 Bury (6) 19 Profits (7) 22 Copies (4) 23 Duration (4) 24 Magnificent (8) 25 Vigour (6) 26 Clear a channel (6) Down 2 Reproduction (7) 3 Injurious (7) 4 Short letters (5) 5 Loud enough to be heard (7) 6 Uncooked meal suitable for Fridays, maybe (5) 7 Anger about scope (5) 12 Holstein holler? (3) 14 Shelter (3) 15 Think it probable (4,3) 17 Learner (7) 18 Assembly (7) 19 Get ready to eat (5) 20 General meaning (5) 21 Reliable (5) 23 Blows away (4) 24 Cooking measure (4)

All solutions are on page 23

The axes and arrowheads matched the injuries to the skulls and were determined to be the deadly weapons.

The team of scientists, led

by Teresa Fernandez-Crespo, a professor at the University of Valladolid noted that damage to bones during violent conflicts are rare.

Usually it is the soft tissues which are catastrophically damaged.

Even in other cases of prehistoric massacres, the percentage of individuals affected by smashed up bones rarely exceeded half - indicating the extreme ferocity with which the people died.

21

Balearic Bond AN exhibition showing original pieces from James Bond movies has arrived in Palma.

The collection includes costumes, props and vehicles used in Skyfall, Live and Let Die, Casino Royale and many more.

Visitors will be greeted by an oil painting of Dame Judi Dench, who played M in eight Bond films.

Two motorbikes and a hang glider from Skyfall take centre stage alongside pieces used by Roger Moore and Sean Connery.

The exhibition also includes many pieces from Pierce Brosnan’s Die Another Day including police costumes, a Korean hovercraft pilot jumpsuit and a North Korean military uniform from General Moon’s base camp.

The private exhibition, held in Pueblo Espanol Mallorca, will run from November 3 to January 31.

Entry costs between €6 and €12 and will be open from 9am-5pm everyday.

22

LA CULTURA

DON QUI-NOT

The 10 tomes you must read to shine a light on Spain that you may never have heard of, according to Yzabelle Bostyn

November 17th - November 30th 2023 ANDALUS

by Jason Webster This book delves deep into the Moorish legacy of modern Andalucia, as the author embarks on an adventure accompanied

by Zine, a Moroccan immigrant, who has recently escaped from slave labour at a fruit farm.

A ‘rollercoaster’ ride through the region, it unveils Spain’s Arab ancestry evident in its food, language and culture.

THE HIVE

by Camilo Jose Cela Banned for many years during Franco’s dictatorship, this book captures the stark reality of post Civil War Spain for Madrilenos.

Featuring over 100 unique characters whose lives intertwine, the novel is a social documentary filled with violence, longing and unexpected tenderness.

E

VERYONE has heard of Don Quixote, but book lovers who expand their reading lists beyond the classics will be rewarded with an indepth look at this diverse country.

That’s why the Olive Press has compiled a list of lesser-known novels that best represent each region of Spain.

From mysteries to adventures to historical fiction, there’s something for every bookworm.

BUENO

by Christy Esmahan

THE SHADOW OF THE WIND

by Carlos Ruis Zafron

After his brother dies in Northern Spain, an American headmaster decides to discover the place his brother loved for himself.

Pressured to make changes to the school, he meets much resistance.

Set against the mountains of Santander, this is a tale of resistance, sympathy and multiculturalism.

This magical novel will transport you to the winding streets of Barcelona’s Gothic quarter as 10-year-old Daniel uncovers the secrets of the ‘Cemetery of Lost Books’.

A labyrinthine library, the boy is allowed to pick one volume from its collection of dusty novels, choosing The Shadow of the Wind by Julian Carax.

As he grows, so does a mysterious stranger´s interest in the book. Daniel must race to find the truth before it is too late under a continual backdrop of Catalan monuments and geography.

OBABAKOAK by Bernardo Atxaga There is no one who captures this unique region of the Basque Country like Bernardo Atxaga.

Obaba, the novel’s fictional town, represents the area with its typical pelota court, fountain and church.

The story is told through the peculiar tales of the town’s inhabitants, a geography teacher holding onto an old love, a boy lost in the forest, a young woman trying to get through the long winter alone.

The novel has won many awards and been described as the ‘novel of the 20th century’.

IBERIA

by James Michener Any traveller to Spain would think to start their trip in the famed cities of Barcelona, Madrid or Sevilla.

Not James Michener.

He cared little for kings and cathedrals, searching instead for the humble shepherd. In this novel he retraces the steps of conquistadors who set out from the Extremaduran towns of Trujillo and Medellin in search of the ‘new world’, returning to these sleepy, agricultural areas to find the true spirit of Spain.

THE CARPENTER’S PENCIL by Manuel Rivas TUNING UP AT DAWN

by Tomas Graves

MALL

ORCA

Capturing the joy of Mallorcan summer days full of music, it celebrates the island’s traditions t o a soundtrack of international stars including Jimi Hendrix, Bob Geldof and Sinead O’Connor.

Tomas Graves is the son of legendary I, Claudius writer Robert Graves, who ended up in Mallorca by a happy accident. Tomas’ love for the island shines through the pages with his delightful musical escapades.

A haunting reflection of the Spanish Civil War, The Carpenter’s Pencil sketches the destinies of a cast of unique characters caught in a national tragedy.

Narrated from both sides of the conflict, the book offers an unflinching view of this complicated period of Spanish history through the eyes of the Galicians.

Despite horror and hardship, the book captures the enduring tenderness of the human spirit and in 2001, it was adapted for the big screen.

LAKE OF DREAMS: CAÑAS Y BARRO

by Vicente Blasco Ibáñez

Set at the turn of the century, this prolific writer tells the story of a Spanish family living on the shores of the now famous Albufera lake.

An honest depiction of life as a working class Spaniard among the radical changes of the industrial revolution, the novel is now considered to be one of the top 100 Spanish novels of the 20th century.

THE YELLOW RAIN

by Julio Llamarzes

High in the Spanish pyrenees, the last remaining resident of a deserted town, Ainielle, reflects on his life.

Written as a monologue, Ainelle has only his words to keep him company as he conjures up ghosts of past friends and neighbours.

As he reflects on the joys and tragedies of his life, Ainelle’s story is a heartbreaking tale of sorrow, s o l i tude and memory.

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

CUTTING REMARKS

ANOTHER bastion of Spanish cuisine has been brutalised in the eyes of Spain’s netizens - this time in China.

A video has gone viral of a female market stall worker chopping up a cherished leg of Spanish jamon with a meat cleaver.

She takes to the leg - which is almost as big as her - with great sweeping chops.

It is a far cry from the delicate slices favoured by true jamon aficionados, which is considered an art form in Spain.

Through brute force - including lifting up the leg itself and smashing it down repeatedly - she manages to get the blade through the hunk of meat.

Online Spaniards had a few choice words, with one user demanding that she be sent to jail for her culinary crime.

Another commented: “Just when there was nothing in this world left for me to see.”

November 17th - November 30th 2023

Football crazy

Sevilla FC ‘steal’ plane leaving 80 passengers with 5 hour bus journey instead AIR NOSTRUM has been slammed for turfing passengers off a Vigo to Madrid flight at the last minute to make way for a bunch of footballers.

The scheduled service transformed into a charter flight to take home Sevilla FC players and coaches after a match at Celta Vigo.

The La Liga side's original charter plane could not be used due to a technical problem so they took over the Air Nostrum craft.

Passengers stood agog as they waited in line to board

By Alex Trelinski

at Peinador Airport and were passed by the Sevilla FC squad.

One unhappy traveller fumed on social media, writing: "We are still at the airport with no word about the theft of the plane by Sevilla."

The controversial decision by the carrier meant that 80 passengers had to make a 600 kms bus journey to Madrid lasting five hours, as opposed to the original

hour-long flight time.

Passengers are reported to have missed national and international connections as a result of the enforced switch.

OP Puzzle solutions Quick Crossword Across: 1 Orphan, 5 Assure, 8 Operated, 9 Sand, 10 Biff, 11 Sublime, 13 Walled, 16 Entomb, 19 Returns, 22 Apes, 23 Span, 24 Splendid, 25 Energy, 26 Dredge.

Down: 2 Replica, 3 Harmful, 4 Notes, 5 Audible, 6 Sushi, 7 Range, 12 Moo, 14 Lee, 15 Dare say, 17 Trainee, 18 Meeting, 19 Ripen, 20 Tenor, 21 Solid.

CHOP: Ham is assaulted

ANIMAL COVER

L

IBERTY SEGUROS' pet insurance has grown by 25% in the past six months, surpassing one million euros in annual revenue. According to company data, this growth follows the trend of the last two years, as this segment grew by 12.7% in 2021 and 13.6% in 2022.

The new Law on Animal Welfare, which came into force on 29 September,

makes it compulsory for dog owners to have civil liability insurance. And this fact has been reflected in the demand for both Civil Liability insurance, which in August alone has shot up by 623%, and Liberty's specific product for pets, which in the same month has increased by 70%.

However, compulsory civil liability insurance for natural or legal persons owning dogs will not be

Seb’s the best FORBES has revealed the ‘24 best places to travel in 2024’ and San Sebastian in the Basque Country has made the top 10.

The list, compiled by Forbes and luxury travel advisors OvationNetwork, predicts this year’s travel boom will continue into next year, with tourists seeking out ‘off the beaten path’ destinations.

Experts said the seaside city offers ‘an unforgettable gastronomic experience, natural beauty and unique Basque culture’.

HOT UP NORTH NORTHERN Spain has seen a massive increase in tourism this year as scorching temperatures in the south put off visitors.

In August, the regions of Galicia, Asturias, and Cantabria received 47% more international tourists compared to the previous year, totaling 435,500 visitors.

The growth overshadowed perennial tourist hotspots like Malaga and Valencia, although they still received many more visitors overall.

This shift north coincided with extreme heat warnings in the south.

Liberty's pet insurance sales up 25% in last six months effectively applicable until the corresponding regulatory development takes place. In this sense, Liberty stresses that behind the growth of these insurances recently there is also a growing concern of pet owners to cover their main needs and risks.

José Luis García Camiñas, Liberty's Executive Director of Product in Europe, says: “We expect this segment to continue to grow in the future not only because of increased regulatory requirements but also because of society's growing concern to protect the welfare of their pets and to have cover for issues such as veterinary expenses, theft and travel assistance. Specifically, more than 90% of the claims reported to Liberty under pet insurance correspond to veterinary expenses. The rest correspond to the death of the animal, liability issues and theft or kidnapping”.

The number of dogs in Spain is estimated to be more than nine million, but having them insured is not a widespread practice. This contrasts with countries such as the USA where 70% of households have

a pet and between 20% and 25% of them, especially dogs and cats, are insured. In the EU, 25% of EU households have a dog, according to the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF). "Due to all of these factors, this insurance product, which was initially demanded by residents in Spain from other countries, and which has been increasingly valued by national clients, presents a significant growth potential in the forthcoming years", says José Luis García Camiñas.

Main changes that Spain’s new animal welfare law will bring The Animal Welfare Law, which came into force on 29 September, establishes new obligations for pets, and in particular for dog owners. One of these is the obligation to have Civil Liability insurance to cover possible damages and injuries caused by dogs, whatever their breed, to other people, animals, or things.

However, this obligation will not be effectively applicable until the regulatory development of the rule takes place.

On the other hand, the classifi-

cation of potentially dangerous dogs (PPP) disappears and the concept of special dog handling is created. An individualised sociability study will determine whether a dog is a special dog handling. In addition, a compulsory training course for dog owners will be introduced. The development of these two elements is also still awaiting a regulation.

Customised Insurance also for Pets Liberty Seguros has comprehensive insurance policies for pets, a product that is defined by its many adjustment options to provide protection for the insured animal against risks such as accident and illness and which can be taken out as a basic package with the possibility of adding others with optional guarantees.

As for civil liability, it also offers specific insurance for this legal cover for damage to third parties or as optional cover within home insurance. José Luis García Camiñas explains: “Each pet owner can personalise their pet policy in the way that best meets their particular needs and pay only for what they really need”.

VISIT WWW.LIBERTYEXPATRIATES.ES FOR MORE INFORMATION OR CALL 91 342 25 49 FOR THE NAME OF YOURNEARES AGENT/BROKER.

ADVERTORIAL

POPULAR: There are over 9 million dogs in Spain

“This only happens in a banana republic where football is allowed to take everything and everyone by surprise,” said an irate traveller.

Air Nostrum apologised 'profusely' for the incident, and said it would be contacting all affected passengers to compensate them for the inconvenience caused.

Spain's consumer association, FACUA, has reported Air Nostrum to the Galicia Consumer Affair's department as well as the national Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

FACUA has argued that the carrier infringed consumer protection laws, and it has also filed a complaint with Spain's Aviation Safety Agency which has launched an investigation.

23

The

OLIVE PRESS

REuse REduce REcycle We use recycled paper

Hello Komodo

FINAL WORDS

Fuengirola Biopark has hatched Spain’s first Komodo dragon in 10 years and only the fifth in Europe. Juanito was born alongside his identical twin, Boqueron, who did not survive.

Water gift The Arcosur Principe de Benalmádena aparthotel has donated 200,000 litres of water to the town council after having to empty its pool for maintenance. It will be used for cleaning.

Super speed Hypersonic planes that can fly from Madrid to New York in just 90 minutes may be available by 2030 as a US company, Hermeus, is developing the 125 passenger planes.

MALLORCA

Your expat

voice in Spain

FREE Vol. 6 Issue 169 www.theolivepress.es November 17th - November 30th 2023

Sisters of sushi

VINTAGE CROP

‘Work hard but don’t get upset’: Spanish family have a combined age of well over a thousand!

NOT many ‘babies of the family’ can get to the fine old age of 76 and have 11 older siblings all still alive.

But that’s the case for the Hernandez-Perez family, whose 12 brothers and sisters regularly dine together at weekends.

Now Guinness World Records has honoured the family - including 76-year-old ‘baby’ Luis - as being world champions.

By Walter Finch

The combined ages of the Gran Canaria natives reach an astounding 1,074 years - an entire millenia encapsulated in one set of siblings.

It comes a year since they set a new world record for the highest combined age of 12 living siblings, dethroning the previ-

SPAIN has taken on the USA on their home turf and brought back three medals from the World Beach Ultimate Frisbee Championships.

Ultimate Frisbee sees teams weave a disc between players t o score in a goal area known as an ‘endzone’ in a sport that was invented in California.

In recent years, the sport has grown in

HAPPY FAMILY: The long-lived siblings ous holders in Pakistan.

They recently got together for a celebratory meal, where they shared some of their secrets.

Big brother Jose, affectionately

FLYING HIGH popularity in Spain, with over 50 clubs and 1,000 players.

The national teams picked up silver medals in the open and mixed categories at the contest held in California, with the women’s side achieving bronze.

known as ‘Pepe’, is the oldest at 98 years old.

He attributes his longevity to a simple motto: “Live peacefully, don’t get upset and work hard.”

The long-living dozen, from the village of Villa de Moya, have spent their lives in each other’s company, working in the local fields.

This, they say, is part of their secret to maintaining their health.

Scientists might also want to take a look at what’s in their genome, too.

Mama Martina passed away in 1991 at the age of 91, while papa Modesto died in November 2002, at 105 years old.

WHILE most cloistered nuns specialise in making sweets or pastries for religious occasions, Granada’s Carmelita order has gone viral for their delicious sushi and noodles.

The five Filipino nuns behind the scheme have revolutionised the nunnery with their unique culinary offering, which allows them to maintain sales throughout the year.

The Carmelite Descalzas del Realejo Convent has seen sales soar overnight with their Spanish-Asian fusion which went viral after being featured on Spanish news channels Tele5 and Canal Sur. As well as sushi, the sisters offer noodles, gyozas and Filipino stews.

Hard luck

A LOTTERY winner who was set to collect €2,000-a-month for five years has died before claiming a penny.

The man, from Lastres, Austrias won the second place EuroDreams prize.

The soon-to-be married man’s winnings will now go to his heirs in a one off payment of €120,000.