Bull fights return to Palma  – if they can get a licence

A DATE has been set for the first bullfight in Mallorca since a 2017 ‘ban’ was overturned by the Constitutional Court. 
Bullfighting website Mundotoro has announced that a bullfight will take place in Palma on  August 9. 
An August bullfight at the Coliseo Balear ring, which is celebrating its 90th year, was a tradition until the “ley del toros” outlawed the killing of bulls. 
The law actually stopped short of an outright ban but the many regulations that had to be followed effectively stopped the fights from going ahead in Mallorca. 
Legislators were concerned an outright ban would be deemed unconstitutional, but despite their best efforts the appropriate court made just such a ruling anyway. 
The Constitutional Court decided that the law potentially violated the constitution and that it was a matter for the national government in any case. 
This ruling was made in December, and now the first date has been set for a ‘corrida’. But Palma city hall says that the paperwork is not in order and a licence has yet to be granted. 
Inspections are needed to make sure the bulls are not drugged, that children have no access to alcohol and for various safety factors. 
Alcudia, Inca, Muro and Palma were the only towns in Mallorca to still have bullfights before the 2017 law. So far it is only Palma that has announced a return of the blood sport.