SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE Nov. 28 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The representative for the Socialist Parliamentary Group, Sebastián Franquis, along with the Treasury representative, Manuel Hernández, unveiled on Thursday the amendments made by the socialists to the Canary Islands Budget for 2025, which amount to over 358 million euros aimed at enhancing social and economic policies within the archipelago.
Specifically, the Socialist Group has submitted 445 amendments to the General Budget Bill of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands for 2025.
Among these, 330 suggest changes to the financial statements, mobilising a total of 213 million euros, while 115 focus on enhancements to the articulated text with an economic impact of 145 million euros.
Franquis remarked that the 2025 budgets are set to be the “most amended budgets in the history of the Canary Islands”, stating that they do not address the redistribution of wealth across the islands, thereby increasing inequality as “the rich continue to become richer while the poor get poorer”.
“These budgets represent an affront to citizens in an autonomous community that continues to experience economic growth above the national average,” he asserted.
Furthermore, the socialist spokesperson declared an intention to appeal to the Parliament Board regarding the admission for processing of the amendment concerning the Home Help service provided by local councils, which is now being replaced “through the back door” by the Government with financial support at the discretion of the councils.
In this regard, he condemned the Canarian Government’s amendments as a significant alteration that undermines the rights of dependent individuals, describing them as “a regression in the fourth pillar of the Welfare State, which pertains to dependency.”
The alterations to the articles entail enhancements in the funding conditions for public universities and improved working conditions for all public employees within the autonomous community, in addition to better financial conditions for local councils through the Canary Municipal Financing Fund and the integration of the ICHH into the Canarian Health Service (SCS).
Additionally, key economic proposals include significant initiatives such as an agricultural and livestock fund of 20 million euros to support the primary sector; an investment of ten million euros to encourage access to culture via the Canary Cultural Bonus; a training and employment programme for individuals aged over 45 valued at five million; support for Research, Development, and Innovation (R&D&I) through the strengthening of innovation and research; and a fund for protected natural areas amounting to ten million euros for the preservation of the Canary Islands’ natural heritage.
IMPROVEMENTS IN ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND SOCIAL RIGHTS
The PSOE also reaffirms its dedication to social welfare through targeted plans, such as combating poverty with particular focus on children and youth; reducing waiting times in healthcare by executing measures designed to enhance healthcare services; providing free secondary school textbooks to ease family financial burdens; implementing a comprehensive plan to ensure access to adequate housing; and allocating specific resources within municipalities to enhance accessibility.
Moreover, the Socialist Group advocates for a more progressive tax policy, opposing benefits for large fortunes and suggesting the removal of exemptions in the Inheritance and Donation Tax to finance public universities.
In line with this, they argue that the Government’s tax policy is “incorrect and inconsistent”, failing to deliver on its significant electoral promise of reducing the IGIC for the second consecutive year, and eliminating the deduction for price hikes, which removes 104 million euros from the pockets of middle and lower-income citizens as well as vulnerable groups.
In this context, among the proposed amendments is an exemption from IGIC for school sports and the elimination of tax deductions that favour higher earners, such as expenses on private healthcare or the purchase of properties for speculative rental.
Additionally, the PSOE advocates for a Tax on Tourist Stays, which would only be paid by tourists and is projected to generate 250 million euros.
Measures are also suggested to enhance accountability, including detailed disclosure of the salaries of the Government of the Canary Islands; assessments of environmental sustainability and child welfare; and bolstering efforts against tax fraud.
Franquis and Hernández emphasised that, with these amendments, the PSOE aims to secure budgets centred on equality, sustainability, and the enhancement of living standards for all residents of the Canary Islands.
