Santa Cruz de Tenerife 11 Mar. (Europa Press) –
The leader of the Canary Islands Government, Fernando Clavijo, expressed on Tuesday that “never” in the history of democracy in Spain has a region been “solely and entirely abandoned” like the archipelago, amidst the ongoing immigration crisis.
On the second day of the ‘Debate on the state of nationality’, he questioned whether migration should be regarded merely as a “problem of the Canary Islands” or an “opportunity to secure a few votes,” appealing once more for “unity” to facilitate the distribution of unaccompanied migrant minors.
“It is clear that whether through legislative reform, initial relocation, or the courts, the Canary Islands will achieve results, because it is a matter of justice and logic supports us,” he remarked, emphasising the recent ruling by the Constitutional Court recognising immigration as a “supra-autonomous phenomenon” necessitating cooperation among institutions.
Clavijo criticised the “inaction” of the government and asserted that any progress made has been due to the efforts of his administration, expressing disappointment at the “Pim Pam Pum” of national politics.
The president appreciated the support from NGOs within the reception network, highlighted the exemplary behaviour of Canarian citizens, and advocated for the future ‘Canarian-Africa’ strategy as a framework to contribute to the continent’s development in light of the “lack of effective responses” from the State and the EU.
