First ever female Balearic president begins her rule

SOCIALIST candidate Francina Armengol on Tuesday (June 30) became the first woman in charge of the Balearic Islands regional government (the Govern).
With the votes of the socialist party PSIB, the eco-nationalists MES and Podemos independent party, Francina Armengol has counted on the support of 34 representatives, with 22 voting against her investiture (20 from the PP conservative party and two from Ciudadanos), and three abstentions by Proposta per les Illes (PI) representatives.
Podemos had threatened not to support this government before the vote took place but the commitment of Ms Armengol to reduce the salaries of the parliament’s president and other representatives encouraged the party to support the new premier. However, they announced they would not form part of the new regional government.
“I wish to rule this region through dialogue and not conflict,” said the new president. “The new government will be brave, equal and courageous.”
When asked on her status as the first ever female president, she said: “I am a socialist and I will take on this historic challenge of ruling the community as the first woman, with excitement and humbly: I want to represent all citizens.”