Media reports Spanish islanders demanding dismissal of Germans
(MENAFN) Tensions over mass tourism and housing shortages in Spain have sparked a wave of anti-foreigner actions on the island of Mallorca, where activists reportedly defaced businesses and cars owned by German expatriates, Mallorca Zeitung reported.
On Saturday, nearly 30 businesses and several vehicles with foreign license plates were vandalized in the town of Santanyi. Stickers and graffiti carried messages such as “Germans out” and “foreign buyers go to hell.” Local police confirmed the incidents and have launched an investigation.
Santanyi, a popular destination for German expats, has seen an influx of foreign residents who own property or operate businesses. Among those affected was German artist Frank Kruger, who said his gallery was vandalized. He expressed shock, noting that he has lived on the island for 34 years, pays taxes, and employs nine workers. Kruger also claimed that cars with foreign plates, even if owned by Spanish citizens, were targeted.
This surge in anti-tourism sentiment is part of a broader backlash across Mallorca, where residents claim mass tourism is driving up housing costs and threatening the island’s cultural identity. In June, thousands marched in Palma, the island’s capital, holding signs reading “foreigners go home” and “Mallorca is not your cash cow.” Some activists have even resorted to squirting tourists with water pistols as a form of protest.
Protesters blame short-term rental platforms like Airbnb and unchecked real estate speculation for the worsening housing crisis. Real estate associations on the island have echoed these concerns, warning that both locals and seasonal workers are struggling to find affordable accommodation.
In response, Palma’s mayor, Jaime Martinez, unveiled a €300 billion ($353 billion) initiative in May to improve beaches, halt new hotel construction, and encourage the conversion of existing hotels into residential units. Additionally, officials plan to reduce the number of beach sun loungers by 20% to prioritize local residents.
Mallorca’s unrest reflects a wider movement across southern Europe, where cities such as Barcelona, Granada, Venice, and Lisbon have seen coordinated protests over rising rents, overcrowding, and the displacement of locals due to overtourism.
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