Santa Cruz de Tenerife 8 Apr. (Press Europa) –
The Minister of Finance for the Canary Islands Government, Matilde Asan, has attributed the budgetary under-execution for 2024 to the “uncertainty” created by the central government and the absence of the General State Budget (PGE), which was extended without clarifying the fiscal disbursements until September.
Responding to a question from the socialist faction during the Plenary control session in Parliament, she expressed her disappointment as deputy Manuel Hernández remarked that the Canary Islands “should not receive additional funding” due to inefficiencies in fund execution. He asserted the need for a “sufficient unit to address certain issues” and insisted on the necessity for resources to be allocated towards education, health, and social services.
Hernández described the situation as an “announced failure,” suggesting the 2024 budget was fraught with “deception” and “traps,” leading to an “unbalanced” increase amounting to 1,329 million euros.
“They have regrettably set a new record. The priciest government in the history of the Canary Islands has become the least effective and efficient, with the poorest execution rate in the last twelve years,” he elaborated.
He remarked that “uncertainty has always been present,” along with the spending rule that “was approved by the deputy and could have been adjusted with fair and progressive fiscal policies, contrary to those that have been implemented.”
Hernández pointed out the economic “collapse” of the government while they were “seeking confrontation” with the central government, “requesting more resources when they are unable to effectively utilise those they already possess.”
He further noted that capital operations were executed at 293 million euros less than in 2023, resulting in a surplus of 537 million, despite the budget formulation being based on a zero deficit.
“Either you were misleading or unaware of what you were handling, and I can’t decide which is worse,” he told Asan, accusing the executive of “engaging in budgetary trileism” and lacking a “road map that is cohesive and feasible.”
