Franquis (PSOE) asserts that the government “does not meet” the requirements of the islands as “its sole objective is power.”
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 11 (Europa Press)
The president of the Canary Islands Government, Fernando Clavijo, remarked on Tuesday that “Curves” and “Much Cozobra” in 2025 are foreseen to have a “significant effect” on the islands due to the new tariffs imposed by the United States.
In response to inquiries from the ASG, CC, and PSOE groups, he cautioned about the rise in transport costs and consequently, the price of the shopping basket, particularly in the non-capital islands, while reminding that the Canary Islands is “Europe,” despite the fact that “some in Madrid may not be aware.”
“These are crucial challenges that the Government intends to tackle, as we are a small autonomous community situated in the middle of the Atlantic, both politically and socially unified,” he stated.
He commended the “common sense” of the ASG spokesperson, Casimir, concerning REF resources not being included in the new regional financing model.
Along those lines, he noted that to confront the housing crisis, the Vacation Rental Law and the revision of the Land Law are currently being processed, while also suggesting a potential “review” of the FDCAN to adjust for the changing needs of society over the past decade.
He also disclosed that the “roadmap” of the Canary Islands Government for this year focuses on enhancing productivity—the work team will be formed in the coming days—accelerating the reconstruction of La Palma with the €100 million pledged by the Central government, reducing healthcare waiting lists as “it is still insufficient,” increasing the adoption of renewable energies, continuing reforms in educational infrastructure, securing the €20 million pending from the state for hydraulic projects, or finalising funding agreements for universities, whilst addressing the migration crisis.
He reprimanded the socialists, asserting that his administration would accomplish “everything they failed to do” in the previous term, emphasising that the agency’s response time has decreased by more than 300 days, that there are now greater economic benefits than in the last four years, that there is “favourable data” in the health sector, and that “employment is performing better than ever.”
He also advocated for measures to enhance access to housing—he pointed out to the PSOE spokesperson, Sebastián Franquis, that no public housing had been constructed—and lamented the inadequacies in facilities intended to ensure education for 0-3 year-olds, citing “many debts” with the primary sector. “This government always stands firm,” he remarked.
Curbelo: Risk of “collapse” in services
Curbelo (ASG) has urged for “reflection” on the planning of the islands and the demographic challenges, noting a chronic “deficit” which leads to “dramatic poverty and social exclusion,” posing a risk of “collapse” of public services as the Canary Islands has seen its population exceed half a million since 2000.
Thus, he has advocated for the simplification of public administration and the establishment of a new regional financing system.
David Toledo, president of the Nationalist Group, has defended the “stability” of the Canary Islands Government against the “all voucher” of national politics, highlighting how the Canary Islands have managed the responses to the immigration crisis, reduced waiting lists, and lowered the unemployment rate to “historical lows.”
Sebastián Franquis (PSOE) has declared that the Government of the Canary Islands “does not measure up” to the needs of the islands, as “its only project is power” and that it “does not know how to proceed” with the archipelago.
He has expressed concern regarding the inadequate housing for residents and the “dire situation” of public services, particularly a “saturated” healthcare system with “endless” waiting lists despite the “cosmetic changes” made by the Ministry of Health, which has also failed to address the “unbearable” conditions faced by staff.
He further pointed out that there are 17,000 individuals on waiting lists and highlighted the absence of a new contract for public universities as well as the rollout of free education from birth to three years. “We require a courageous and realistic government,” he concluded.
