Francesc Antich Oliver, former president of the Balearic Islands, passed away on January 2nd in Palma at the age of 66 after battling colon cancer since 2022. As the leader of the PSIB-PSOE in the archipelago, he led the regional government through two alternating terms from 1999 to 2003 and from 2007 to 2011. Antich forged unique partnerships with various parties and established pioneering agreements on social, feminist, cultural, and environmental policies, which he later referred to as exceptional and revolutionary from a distance of a quarter of a century. His ability to form and maintain multi-party coalitions allowed him to govern effectively with up to eight different parties.
In 1996, Antich orchestrated a Progressive Pact in Ibiza that defeated the long-standing conservative majority aligned with Abel Matutes. This strategy of multicolored coalitions spread across Spain, marking a departure from traditional alignments. By forming a coalition of progressive, left-leaning forces and reaching out to nationalists and regionalists, Antich was able to isolate the historically dominant Popular Party (PP). In 2007, a diverse coalition of eight parties including PSIB-PSOE, Bloc, Eivissa pel Canvi, and Gent de Formentera, among others, came together to form the government, with the key addition of Unió Mallorquina (UM) as a center-right ally that later collapsed due to corruption scandals.
During his tenure, Antich’s progressive governments implemented the pioneering ecotax for visitors, known as the sustainable tourism tax, which has since been adopted in numerous destinations. Despite facing backlash from the hotel industry, which launched a direct campaign against him, Antich persevered, with the tax eventually being upheld by the courts and the Constitutional Court. His pragmatic leadership style and commitment to progressive policies earned him both praise and criticism during his time in office, with a particular focus on his efforts to promote environmental conservation through innovative taxation.
Francesc Antich was known for his resilience and unwavering commitment to his principles, often characterized as a steadfast and principled leader. His roots as a working-class emigrant family from Caracas shaped his worldview and political ideology, driving him to champion social justice and progressive causes throughout his career. A self-described “ordinary person” with a strong sense of community and a dedication to achieving utopian ideals, Antich prioritized collective action over personal ambition, emphasizing solidarity and cooperation in his political rhetoric.
As a product of his humble origins and formative experiences, Antich embodied the values of an open-minded and socially engaged left-wing politician. His background as a central defender in a local football team reflected his approach to politics, characterized by determination, resistance, and strategic play. Despite facing personal tragedies linked to the legacy of the Spanish Civil War, Antich remained committed to advocating for historical memory and justice for the victims of fascism, drawing on his family’s experiences as a source of motivation for his political activism.
Antich’s passing has been met with an outpouring of tributes and condolences from political figures across Spain, including current President of the Balearic Islands, Francina Armengol, and former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. His legacy as a skilled negotiator and a champion of progressive policies has left a lasting impact on the political landscape of the Balearic Islands and beyond. The official declaration of mourning and respect from the PP-led government, as well as the opening of a public wake in his honor, underscore the significance of Antich’s contributions to the region’s history and political development. His funeral in Algaida will serve as a farewell to a pivotal figure in Balearic politics, remembered for his dedication to social justice and environmental conservation.
