Murcia survey reveals strong opposition to easing Mar Menor pollution rules

A new regional survey found that 75.6% want stronger environmental protection for the lagoon, while just 5.7% support reducing controls and penalties on agricultural businesses

The future of the Mar Menor continues to be a subject of debate in the Region of Murcia, particularly when it comes to how much control should be placed on agricultural activity around the lagoon.

A new survey suggests that most people in the Region would like those environmental safeguards to be strengthened, rather than relaxed. The latest summer barometer from the Centro de Estudios Murciano de Opinión Pública (Cemop) found that 75.6% of those questioned would prefer the law protecting the Mar Menor to be strengthened.

By contrast, only 5.7% said they would like to see fewer controls and lower penalties for agricultural businesses. A further 6.2% would prefer the existing law to stay as it is.

The figures come as changes to the rules protecting the Mar Menor are being considered by the regional Assembly. The Partido Popular has proposed changing the current system of penalties for agricultural activity and bringing it into line with the general national framework.

The survey also asked people which issues could affect how they vote in the 2027 regional elections.
Housing was one of the biggest concerns, with 73.5% saying access to a home to rent or buy could influence their decision. The impact of irregular immigration was mentioned by 72.19%, while 70.9% named the cost of living.

Political corruption was also high on the list, with 66.6% pointing to investigations and court cases involving corruption.

Other issues included air conditioning in state schools, mentioned by 54.5% of respondents, and the judicial investigation into the management of surgical supplies within the Servicio Murciano de Salud, mentioned by 50.4%. The situation facing firefighters in the Region was mentioned by 40.7%.

The Cemop survey also asked about access to public assistance and social housing. Overall, 71.2% of those questioned agreed with giving some form of priority when deciding who should receive public aid and social housing.

There was a significant difference depending on political outlook. Among respondents who described themselves as left-wing, 67.5% rejected the idea of national priority. On the right, 94.8% supported it.
The survey also looked at preferences for the next regional government. A PP government on its own was backed by 28.1%, while 27.3% preferred a coalition between the PP and Vox.

For comparison, 11.1% wanted a PSOE government on its own and 12.6% favoured a PSOE-led coalition with other left-wing parties.

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