SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE 31 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Minister of Innovation for the Cabildo de Tenerife, Juan José Martínez, defended this Thursday the “unprecedented impact” that the hosting of the ‘Esland Awards’ could generate on the island, an event that the PSOE has labelled as a “disgrace” if it ultimately receives public funding.
In response to an inquiry from the Socialist Group, he noted, however, that there is “little likelihood” that Tenerife will host the awards initiated by the youtuber The Grefg, given that it is competing against Madrid, Malaga, and cities in Latin America. He expressed his disappointment that the PSOE does not strive adequately to host events of this nature.
He stated that the ‘Esland’ awards are the “equivalent of the Goya” in film or the Dial Chain awards, with their three prior editions having amassed 600 million in social media impact – compared to 120 million for the Dial Awards.
Martínez criticised the socialists for lacking “a more developed argument” beyond the “tax residency” of The Grefg and questioned whether the PSOE assesses the tax residency of the artists hired by their institutions or if they oppose contracting Canarian companies registered in the ZEC due to their advantageous taxation.
Furthermore, he urged the socialists to employ “a bit of reason” as they seem to be entangled in numerous “contradictions” within the Cabildo, while he concurrently affirmed that the awards, costing 1.5 million euros, are to be financed by the promoters themselves.
The Cabildo’s contribution, regardless, would involve the organisation of a training forum for youth on the island, taking advantage of the presence of leading Spanish-speaking content creators if the gala is eventually held. “This is our intention,” he emphasised.
The socialist spokesperson, Aarón Afonso, has condemned the potential for the Cabildo to allocate public funds to the awards – initially 300,000 euros – “organised by a man who has left Spain” to avoid tax obligations.
In this context, he remarked that it is a “disrespect” for Martínez to equate them with the ‘TLP Tenerife’, as, despite having “disagreements” with the selected model, it is supported by “local” firms that help sustain public services through taxation.
“My political group completely opposes the allocation of even a single euro to fund an event organised by this individual,” he stated.