SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 7th June (EUROPA PRESS) –
Criticizing the government’s “absolute disinterest” in steering the economic development model of the islands in a new direction, the collective ‘Canarias Palante’, composed of the organizers of the protests on April 20, called out the authorities for their neglect of the demonstrators.
Expressing disappointment at the absence of a negotiation platform to contribute towards shaping a fresh model, they noted that the Executive’s sole response has been “deafening silence.”
Having already received around 1,000 proposals from citizens, these will be discussed at the ‘Everyone Together Meeting’ scheduled for November.
During the 20A demonstrations, demands were raised for an ecotax, a pause on tourism expansion, restrictions on property acquisitions by non-residents, halting projects breaching environmental and urban planning laws, enhancing housing accessibility, fairer wealth redistribution, conservation of natural areas, and supporting the primary sector.
The collective rejected the political spheres’ exploitation and co-option of citizens’ sentiments, establishing mere advisory panels whilst unilaterally pressing forward with decisions and policies that harm the Canary Islands.
They highlighted ongoing controversial projects like Cuna del Alma, the La Tejita hotel, the Motor Circuit, the La Pavona ecoresort in La Palma, the film city in Gran Canaria, two new cruise ship tourism terminals in Lanzarote, and the endeavour to rescue the RIU Oliva Beach from Corralejo’s Dunes, despite a demolition order.
Accusing the Canary Islands’ president, Fernando Clavijo, of using diversion tactics to deflect from the public demands, they condemned the cosmetic nature of the proposed model change which favours entrenched economic interests.
“They are staging a sham transformation without tangible actions, perpetuating the status quo. Simultaneously, they aim to exploit people’s suffering to garner votes in the European elections on 9th June,” they asserted.
Emphasising the need for resolute steps towards reducing dependence on tourism and restructuring the economy with a focus on social and environmental justice, centred around life preservation and securing the welfare of upcoming generations, they declared, “The responsibility falls not on the government alone but on collective action. The streets of the Canary Islands belong to us to voice our concerns if excluded from the decision-making process for the desired model.”
