By AMG| For a year and a half, he has shared the role of Mayor of La Orotava with his position in the Parliament of the Canary Islands, making him one of the many individuals enduring the daily traffic queues on the Northern highway. Addressing this pressing issue on the Island, Francisco Linares claims that due to measures instigated by the Cabildo, particularly in the enhancement of public transport, queues have been shortened by “half an hour” and he suggests further progress towards the “diversification of schedules”. He also endorses the Cabildo’s intention to implement an ecotax for non-residents visiting Teide, stating, “our National Park is among the few globally where tourists do not incur a fee, and this needs to change.” Additionally, he voices his criticism that “a private association representing merely 13 municipalities is the entity deciding the future for the municipalities of the Canary Islands, which should be delineated and coordinated by Fecam.”
-How do you manage the dual responsibilities of being the Mayor of La Orotava while serving in the Parliament of the Canary Islands?
“I am managing very well. I balance both roles with meticulous planning, significant enthusiasm, and many hours of effort, as I have always done. For me, this is not uncharted territory; my days have always been quite long. I derive great satisfaction from my work, and above all, I find purpose in public service. It is a calling, and all of this enables me to fulfil the responsibilities of mayor and deputy with immense enthusiasm and optimism every single day. I feel a deep satisfaction with my contributions in Parliament. I believe, with a sense of humility, that I have empowered citizens to have a voice in pressing matters that affect the population, bringing these issues to the Parliament of the Canary Islands.”
– Given your parliamentary commitments, you are now one of those impacted by the queues on the Northern highway. What, in your view, is the solution to this challenge that affects countless citizens daily?
“When I travel to Parliament early in the morning, I am just another person caught up in the queues in north Tenerife. Nonetheless, there has been a noteworthy easing of the wait times. Undeniably, the substantial uptick in public transport usage, along with other supportive measures implemented by the Cabildo, have alleviated congestion during peak hours. Consequently, the average wait time has decreased by around half an hour, which, while still inadequate, provides a reprieve for those of us who rely on these routes. Half an hour less in line translates to half an hour more of life for those of us commuting from the North to Santa Cruz daily. It is essential that we continue to implement measures, such as the diversification of schedules, which further aid in reducing queue times.”
Is the regional Parliament somewhat detached from the realities faced by citizens?
“The Parliament of the Canary Islands is a dynamic and vibrant institution, principally tasked with legislating for the benefit of citizens. This entails that we pass laws that ultimately have direct repercussions on everyone. The perception people have of Parliament from the outside vastly differs from the true and substantial work it carries out once acquainted from within. Many hours are dedicated to parliamentary committees, plenary sessions, and the numerous working meetings that we persistently hold with groups and organisations representing civil society in the Canary Islands.”
-A recent study by political analysts indicates that “The Canary Islands display low levels of ideological polarisation while experiencing elevated rates of parliamentary fragmentation.” In simpler terms, there seems to be more polarisation among the populace than within the Parliament of the Canary Islands. How do you view this assessment?
“It is possible that some aspects of the parliamentary discourse seem removed from the day-to-day issues faced by citizens, yet the majority of topics deliberated upon in Parliament are intrinsically linked to societal concerns; these include social welfare, health, education, housing, energy, sustainability, and the primary sector. All these matters are pivotal to the daily lives of individuals. I believe that the presence of many mayors and councillors in Parliament helps to bridge the gap between parliamentary discussions and the street-level realities.”
– The Cabildo of Tenerife has decided to regulate pedestrian access to the peak of Teide; however, do you not think that the wider National Park also necessitates better oversight along with additional human and material resources for its upkeep, considering the ongoing challenges? Is the imposition of a tax on non-resident visitors still a critical requirement in your view?
“I wholeheartedly support the measures implemented by the Cabildo to manage access to the Teide peak. There must be regulations and limitations for accessing such natural environments. We must also inform tourists that climbing Mount Teide is not akin to strolling through a plaza; it involves ascending to a height of 3,715 metres and requires proper gear and attire. I am also entirely in favour of the initiative proposed by the Cabildo president to levy an ecotax on tourists, which will be enacted starting next year. Teide is among the few national parks worldwide where visitors do not incur any charges, and this must be rectified. When we travel globally, we pay for various services without hesitation, recognising that we are supporting the conservation of these natural environments. We need to be bold and maintain eco-taxes for the utilisation of amenities in Teide National Park. Public funds are not limitless, and tourism ought to contribute towards the financial upkeep of natural areas like Teide National Park.”
-The situation of irregular immigration is reaching unprecedented levels and undoubtedly stands as one of the most pressing issues in the Canary Islands today. How do you assess the management of this situation by Europe and the Spanish Government? Is there a lack of solidarity with the Canary Islands?
“The approach taken by the Spanish Government regarding irregular immigration impacting the Canary Islands is disappointing and shameful; similarly, the stance taken by the Popular Party has been notably indecisive and ineffective, lacking a resolute commitment to finding a genuine, effective solution to this issue, which is primarily the equitable distribution of immigrants across all Autonomous Communities. up till now, there has been little solidarity extended to the Canary Islands. Irregular immigration is not a challenge exclusively confined to the Canaries; it is also a concern across Spain and Europe. In essence, it represents a national issue, which the state, in collaboration with both PSOE and PP, along with the Government of the Canary Islands, must address in search of a fair and collaborative resolution. To date, that has not materialised, and the Canary Islands have been left isolated and forsaken in this regard. PSOE and PP have engaged in excessive political contention, neglecting the individuals who matter most—particularly the minors, the boys and girls in dire need of solutions for their lives and futures. I believe Manolo Domínguez, president of the PP of the Canary Islands and vice president of the regional government, has made attempts, and I commend him to persist. He needs to persuade his colleagues in Madrid of the necessity for their involvement in the solution. I recognise his dedication and commitment to the Canary Islands, and I trust that, alongside President Clavijo, he will continue to work collaboratively towards this aim.”
– The agreement to reform the Immigration Law and
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The referral of unaccompanied migrant minors is many months overdue. In recent discussions, there has been an impasse with the PP, which has resulted in significant discontent for the regional president, Fernando Clavijo, and in CC, who have even gone so far as to claim that the PP “has not risen to the occasion.” What is your opinion on the actions of your governmental allies? Does this conduct of the PP hold any justification, or does it constitute a violation of the regional agreement?
“In this critical humanitarian matter, neither the PSOE nor the PP at a national level have met the challenge; there has been a distinct lack of commitment, decisiveness, effectiveness, and solidarity. Irregular migration constitutes a humanitarian catastrophe and the moment for solutions has passed. Now is the time to seek a permanent resolution, which unquestionably necessitates legislative changes that facilitate a rational, supportive, and fair distribution of these boys and girls across the mainland. The Canary Islands are overwhelmed and have reached their limit, having even surpassed it. I concur with President Clavijo’s sentiments. In this dire situation, the PP has not fulfilled their responsibilities; nor have the PSOE and the Spanish government. Historically, the Canary Islands remain not only physically distant but also distance from resolutions to the issues affecting our region. This often leaves us with a sense of receiving colonial treatment, and we are neither a colony nor wish to be treated as such.”
-Are you supportive of restricting property purchases in the Islands by foreign buyers?
“I advocate for taking bold and urgent actions with legal backing to address the housing crisis. Nonetheless, I do not believe that the primary exacerbating factor of this housing emergency is the acquisition of properties by international buyers. I assert that the limited construction of both public and private housing over the past decade and, of course, the staggering increase in holiday rentals, which require regulation and oversight, have had a more significant impact.”
-Should the Canary Islands contemplate population control measures to prevent overcrowding in the island territory?
“The demographic challenge is one of the pivotal issues we will need to tackle in the years to come. We are situated in a confined territory and decisions will need to be made. The rates of population growth experienced in some of the Canary Islands are unsustainable, while, regrettably, the non-capital islands are experiencing alarming levels of depopulation. Measures for balancing will need to be instituted.”
-What are your thoughts on the Tourist Municipalities Law that has recently been introduced in Parliament at the suggestion of the Association of Tourist Municipalities of the Canary Islands?
“In my view, the future of tourist municipalities in the Canary Islands, which ultimately has implications for the 88 municipalities of our Archipelago, must be defined and coordinated by Fecam, the only legally established body representing the municipalities of the Canary Islands. A private association representing merely 13 municipalities cannot be the authority that dictates the future of tourist municipalities in the Canary Islands. There are many municipalities that feel unrepresented by this association. Our representative body is the Tourism Commission and the Executive of Fecam, which has already expressed opposition to this Tourist Municipalities Law. The legislative process for this Law has just commenced, and we will observe how it unfolds.”
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