The regional deputy and insular general secretary of CC in Tenerife, Francisco Linares, identifies mobility as one of the significant issues facing the island. A frequent user of the North Highway, he states, “Things are progressively getting better; while the queues are not completely resolved, they have eased”, attributing this to “the excellent policies implemented by the Cabildo in promoting public transport, diversifying schedules, prohibiting heavy traffic during peak hours, improving certain connections, and increasing public awareness about carpooling.” In this context, “Tenerife is advancing appropriately towards a definitive solution”. He adds that “the future construction of both the South and North Train will contribute to that ultimate resolution. I fully support this guided transport system powered by clean, sustainable energy with very minimal environmental impact.”
As for the implementation of the Tourist Ecotax: it aims to safeguard and maintain our parks and natural areas. “We should not fear the collection of tourist ecotaxes; they have been effectively in place worldwide for decades, and as far as I am aware, tourism has not ceased to flourish in any of those destinations. I am certain that visitors to our island would willingly pay it, just as Tenerife residents do when we travel elsewhere in the world.”
Tourism generates wealth
Francisco Linares also advocates for tourism as “the primary source of wealth for Tenerife”, creating a substantial amount of direct and indirect employment – this is an undeniable fact. However, he notes that this tourist model has had varied economic effects on our territory depending on whether one is in the north or south. He summarises: “The south, characterised by sun and beach, has experienced unfortunate development and growth over the last forty years; conversely, the north, with much steadier growth, continues to emphasise its landscape, cultural heritage, gastronomic richness, and wine tourism… It is not about competing between north and south; rather, it is about complementing each other to establish a sustainable, balanced tourist model that generates employment and decent salaries. If Tenerife achieves this, it will stabilise and balance its three major development areas: North, South, and Metropolitan.”
When assessing The General State of the Island, the insular general secretary of CC deems that Tenerife citizens “feel as though the island has reawakened, energised, and is advancing at full speed towards resolving the challenges an island housing nearly a million people faces. What is now evident is that when issues arise, we must seek solutions; it is the only method to progress.” He acknowledges that “a considerable amount of work lies ahead”, ensuring collaboration from the Canarian-Cabildo Government is pivotal: “The only way to navigate these challenges is to work together.”
A year of deputy
In his inaugural year as a regional deputy, Francisco Linares has presented 111 initiatives and executed 71 interventions in commissions and plenary sessions: “I am extremely pleased with my first year within my first term as deputy for Tenerife in the Parliament of the Canary Islands. This experience has offered me a new perspective on politics, Tenerife, and the Canary Islands. I have entered the Parliament of the Canary Islands to work and to contribute positively with my expertise toward enhancing the quality of life in the Canaries and throughout the Islands.”
“PSOE and PP must rise above their tired political confrontations and unite on matters as serious as immigration.”
Francisco Linares
– CC Regional Deputy
The archipelago confronts challenges that, whether surveyed or not, necessitate immediate action. One pressing concern is immigration and unaccompanied minors: “This is a dire humanitarian crisis that, up to this point, has not garnered the solidarity, attention, or engagement it requires from the autonomous communities, nor from the current Spanish government or the PP, which, as the leading opposition party, has failed to rise to the occasion. Until now, the Canary Islands have been left to address this issue independently.” Meanwhile, the influx of migrants continues, “and more alarmingly, many of these individuals keep perishing at sea.” In light of all this, Linares asserts: “PSOE and PP must abandon their exhausted political battles and come together on a matter as critical as immigration, which is not only an issue for the Canary Islands; it is also a concern for Spain and for Europe.”
“Urgent and immediate” measures are also required from the archipelago regarding a housing emergency that is escalating: “The Canary Islands government, in collaboration with the Cabildos and the 88 municipalities, is attempting to address this. It should not continue to happen that 60-70% of Canarian citizens’ incomes are allocated to rent or mortgage payments. We must encourage the construction of both public and privately promoted housing, as well as ensuring that social rental homes are accessible to the public.” Linares points out that in recent decades, luxury villas, mainly purchased by foreign nationals with considerable purchasing power, have dominated the market. The wage levels in the Canary Islands make it utterly unfeasible for our residents to access these properties.”
Residence, homes, and moratorium
The Canarian Coalition is assessing “in a thorough and meticulous manner” the implementation of the Residence Law, limitations on sales of homes to foreign buyers, and the introduction of a tourist moratorium: “Nothing is finalised as of yet, but we are striving to reach a decision as a party, similar to what we accomplished a few years back concerning the port of Fonsalía. We collaborated as a party in Tenerife and amended our stance on that matter; at times, revising decisions made can greatly benefit the residents of our area.”
Eleven and a half years of mayor
La Orotava, the municipality over which he presides, is situated within a region comprising 110,000 residents, including Puerto de la Cruz and Los Realejos. The locality is grappling with a water purification dilemma, which, for instance, resulted in the closure of Garden Beach for six months. Mayor Linares recalls that “for numerous decades, the three governing administrations, in cooperation with the Cabildo, have invested significantly in constructing sanitation networks. Currently, an expansion of the treatment plant in Puerto de la Cruz is on the agenda to accommodate the waste from the three municipalities; this will represent a substantial investment for the future sustainability of the La Orotava Valley.” The council leader indicates that his municipality will dedicate the next cooperation plan to further the construction of sanitation networks, which has always been deemed a priority.
Following eleven and a half years as mayor of La Orotava, Francisco Linares advocates for two significant medium- and long-term projects: “The Paving of the Altos Road, traversing eight neighbourhoods, which not only serves as the circumvention but is also the key link for its residents, as well as the renovation of the Teobaldo Power Auditorium, which in the years to come will evolve into the major cultural centre of the northern part of Tenerife and will serve as one of the most prominent cultural attractions of the Canary Islands.”
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