Santa Cruz de Tenerife 5 Mar. (Europa Press) –
The General Secretary of the PP, Cuca Gamarra, has diminished the exceptional distribution agreement concerning unaccompanied migrant minors that the central and Canary governments are negotiating, predicting that the immigration crisis affecting the islands will remain unresolved.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to Tenerife, she highlighted the “disregard” shown towards the Canary Islands, noting that while discussions between the Canarian President, Fernando Clavijo, and the Minister of Finance, María Jesús Montero, are “lacking”, they appear to be treating it as a separate state within Spain.
“It is evident from this comparison where the government’s priorities lie, and it is not in serving the Canary Islands, which is what a responsible politician ought to do,” she expressed.
In her view, “we must not be deceived; what is necessary is a state policy regarding immigration, not merely a temporary fix that assumes everything is resolved through the distribution of minors.”
According to the general secretary, “we require strict border control, concerted efforts, and a clear message to eliminate any perception that Spain is a nation where irregular access is possible, as well as addressing the existence of mafias profiting from these circumstances.”
Gamarra, who has not indicated her party’s stance on a potential vote in Congress, reiterated her party’s “road map” that has been endorsed by 14 autonomous communities and asserted that the extraordinary agreement will only facilitate the continued influx of individuals.
She also condemned the exclusion of Catalonia and the Basque Country—a claim refuted by the central government— stating that they must ensure this does not have an impact on them, irrespective of the unresolved financing matters.
In this regard, she stated that the Spanish Government “must provide solutions” and make a “commitment” to assume responsibility for the welfare of these minors and to allocate the necessary resources “to deliver the care they not only deserve but are entitled to.”
She acknowledged that it is “a complicated issue” and thus the Popular Party calls for a “state policy that starts with border control” rather than “chopping it up,” as the government has done following the agreement made to transfer immigration competencies.
The Vice President of the Canarian government, Manuel Domínguez, remarked that “if what the Canary Islands are currently experiencing were happening in Catalonia,” the distribution of unaccompanied migrant minors would already be addressed.
“There is no doubt about it; the urgency they have demonstrated recently to respond to the demands from separatists has not been mirrored in addressing our situation,” he stated.
