Francesc Antich passed away last night after a two-year fight against cancer. In an official statement, the president of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Margalida Prohens, and the other members of the executive have expressed their condolences for the death of Francesc Antich i Oliver, who twice chaired the Government of the Balearic Islands.
Likewise, Margalida Prohens, through the social network X, has also expressed her condolences and remembered the former president of the Balearic Islands, Francesc Antich, describing him as “a key figure in Balearic politics and the construction of our autonomy, which made possible, from consensus, the reform of our Statute”. Prohens has also highlighted Antich’s “affable and always close treatment” and has expressed her condolences to his family, friends and colleagues of the PSIB-PSOE in these moments of deep sadness. “Rest in peace,” she concluded.
His political life
Born in Caracas in 1958, graduated in Law and militant of the Socialist Party of the Balearic Islands, Francesc Antich was mayor of Algaida from 1991 to 1997, deputy in the Parliament of the Balearic Islands and island councilor of Environment in the Consell de Mallorca from 1995 to 1999, president of the Government of the Balearic Islands from 1999 to 2003; Deputy for the Balearic Islands in the Congress of Deputies from 2004 to 2007; President of the Government of the Balearic Islands for the second time from 2007 to 2011; regional senator from 2011 to 2019, and President of the Port Authority from 2020 to 2022.
Francesc Antich became a key figure in the politics of the Balearic Islands and in the development of its autonomy, being president of the Government at the time when, with the transfer of the competence of health to the Community, the development of competences foreseen in the first Statute of Autonomy was completed, and being leader of the opposition at the time when its reform was negotiated and agreed, promoting through dialogue and consensus the approval by a large majority of the current Statute in 2007.
During his term of office
As President of the Government of the Balearic Islands, he faced the great challenges of the turn of the century in the community, from modernization and the entry into the euro, the beginnings of the fight against climate change, the advances in equality between men and women and the fight against violence against women with the creation of the Balearic Institute for Women, as well as, in his second term, the demand for better funding.
He was distinguished in 2006 with the Gold Medal of the Autonomous Community of the Balearic Islands, the highest distinction of this community, together with his four predecessors in the Presidency of the Government, precisely because of his notable transcendence in the development of our autonomy.
The death of Francesc Antich i Oliver constitutes an event of special relevance and a reason for mourning for the citizens of the Balearic Islands. For this reason, the Government of the Balearic Islands will host, from today Friday afternoon, January 3, at the headquarters of the Presidency of the Government, in the Consolat de Mar, his mortuary chapel and the book of condolences so that all citizens can approach.
Political reactions
The President of the Government Pedro Sánchez has reacted to the sad death of the former president of the Balearic Islands Francesc Antich. The words of the country’s top leader highlighted the trajectory of the Mallorcan socialist, “great companion and reference in the party”.
Sánchez recognized the politician from Algaida for his work to open “paths of progress and dialogue in the Balearic Islands and all Spain”. The Spanish president recognized Antich that “he taught us to govern without fear of the future”. His departure leaves a great void. A big hug to his family and loved ones,” Sánchez concludes in the social network X.
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