The secretary-general of the PSIB-PSOE, Francina Armengol, has presented the Socialist Party’s list of candidates for the Congress of Deputies in the Balearic Islands in Palma ahead of the general election on 29 November. Armengol described the election as a choice between two models for the country: that of the Socialists, which she associated with hope and social rights, and that of the right, which she claimed represents “a dark Spain of setbacks and cuts”.

Francina Armengol

Francina Armengol during the presentation in Palma of the PSIB-PSOE’s candidates for the Congress of Deputies in the Balearic Islands. Photos: PSIB-PSOE.

Armengol said voters would have to choose between “two very clearly defined blocs” and argued that the PSOE represents “enthusiasm, hope, a colourful Spain, diversity, environmentalism, feminism, older people and public services“. During the event, she stressed the importance of maintaining a progressive government in Spain and called for left-wing voters to turn out.

The Socialist Party’s list of candidates in the Balearic Islands will be headed by Armengol herself, followed by Marc Pons from Menorca in second place and Milena Herrera from Eivissa in third.

Francina Armengol highlights Socialist policies for the Balearic Islands

“If there is one autonomous community that is truly affected by whether the left or the right governs Spain, it is the Balearic Islands,” said Francina Armengol, citing regional funding, the special regime for the Balearic Islands and free public transport as examples of improvements introduced by Socialist governments.

Armengol also identified housing as one of the main election priorities. She argued that it should be “a right for people, not an asset for speculation” and criticised the Balearic Government’s record. According to Armengol, the proportion of young people living independently has fallen from 18% to 8%.

On social policy, she highlighted pension increases in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), labour reform and the protection of public healthcare, education and long-term care services. By contrast, she accused the right of favouring privatisation and cuts.

A call for women to turn out and vote

Armengol made a particular appeal to women in the Balearic Islands, addressing them directly with the message: “Don’t stay at home.”

The Socialist leader claimed that women are “the biggest victims of all right-wing policies, and even more so of those of the far right“. In this context, she highlighted Milena Herrera’s contribution to the State Pact against Gender-Based Violence.

The PSIB-PSOE secretary-general also linked voter mobilisation on 29 November to the party’s aim of regaining control of the Balearic Government in the regional elections in May 2027.

PSIB-PSOE list of candidates for Congress in the Balearic Islands

The PSIB-PSOE’s list of candidates for the Congress of Deputies consists of eight principal candidates:

  1. Francina Armengol
  2. Marc Pons Pons
  3. Milena Herrera Garcia
  4. Eduardo Soriano Vives
  5. Sara Alcaraz Páez
  6. Enric Mas Martínez
  7. Azahara Peña de la Fuente
  8. Xavi Colom Lozano

The substitute candidates are Maria Àngels Pons Carrera, Iñaki de Eróstegui Aznar and Maria Duran Febrer.