The municipality of Arona in Tenerife, which is the third most populated and holds significant economic influence on the island, marks the first occasion where the Vox political party takes on governmental responsibilities on Tenerife. The newly formed tripartite coalition, comprising the Popular Party (PP), Canarian Coalition (CC), and Vox (the fifth most voted party in the municipality), announced yesterday that it will operate as a minority government with 12 out of the 25 councillors in the Corporation.
This agreement comes 15 days after the mayor, Fatima Lemes (PP), dismissed the four other councillors from Arona who had been collaborating with the CC.
The mayor, alongside the first deputy mayor Clara Pérez (CC) and the new Councillor for Tourism, Culture, and Historical Heritage, Naim Yánez (Vox), outlined the particulars of this municipal governance agreement. Previously, Vox’s experiences in government within the Canary Islands were limited to the councils of Teguise (Lanzarote) and Telde (Gran Canaria), where the current councillors have since left the party and now serve as non-attached councillors.
Fatima Lemes explained that dialogues with both Vox and Nueva Canarias had been initiated, but “the latter group opted out of being part of the government, so we’ve forged a pact with Vox and CC.”
The mayor reiterated her openness to dialogue, stating, “We are willing to negotiate with PSOE and more for Arona on any matter that benefits the municipality.” Lemes also emphasised that her administration’s priority is “to maintain institutional stability and progress in strategic urban planning and infrastructure projects.”
Lemes further mentioned that the City Council would realise annual savings of €180,000 with the withdrawal of more councillors from Arona. Simultaneously, she announced that three councillors will see a salary increase of 16% due to the expansion of their responsibilities, equating to an additional €5,000 per month within the payroll of the governing group.
In turn, Clara Pérez, the second deputy mayor and leader of CC in Arona, noted that “this situation has unfolded.” He also referenced the notion of the “red line,” a term employed by the president of the Government of the Canary Islands and general secretary of CC, Fernando Clavijo, to decline any potential agreement with Vox during the recent 2023 elections.
“We have consistently discussed limits. In this case, I’ve consulted with my party and laid out the circumstances we are encountering in Arona. We recognise that the political climate is particularly intricate and demanding,” he stated.
Clavijo addresses the investiture agreement
On both a regional and island level, reactions have emerged. Clavijo remarked yesterday that CC does not have “any pact with Vox, only an investiture agreement” in Arona, placing the responsibility for the new arrangement on the mayor. This agreement involves the five councillors from the Canarian coalition currently governing locally, albeit in a minority.
He noted that the mayor’s decisions “do not compromise the established agreement with CC and are well within her jurisdiction,” thereby disregarding the involvement of the nationalist mayor in local governance which will now include Vox.
Lope Afonso, Vice President of the Cabildo (PP), clarified that the aim is to “enhance public services, initiate transformative investments in the municipality, and ensure the proposals put forth by the governing group are effectively implemented at the start of their term.” Along similar lines, Rosa Dávila, president of the Cabildo de Tenerife (CC), underscored the necessity of “preserving institutional stability within the municipality.”
“We are not extremists”
One pressing question during the press conference pertained to Vox’s participation in the government and how sensitive topics, such as immigration and diversity, would be managed. “These issues have yet to be addressed at this time. Our top priority is to discern what is beneficial for Arona,” explained Yánez. Regarding how their party may be perceived, he stated, “I would not classify Vox as far-right, as that would imply labelling Arona’s voters in such a manner, which is simply not the case.”
