The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council has rejected a proposal for the immediate removal of the monument to Franco. The motion, put forward by the PSOE, failed to pass due to opposition from Coalición Canaria, the Partido Popular, and Vox. These parties argued that the council must follow legal procedures before making decisions regarding the future of the sculpture.
The socialist initiative came shortly after the Canary Islands Government ruled out designating the monument as a Cultural Asset of Interest (BIC). The PSOE believes this decision undermines one of the key arguments for keeping the monument in its current location.
Socialist councillor Patricia Hernández noted that, with the heritage path of the BIC closed, the council must comply with both the Canary Islands Historic Memory Law and the Spanish Democratic Memory Law. During the debate, she accused the ruling coalition and other parties of employing “persistent obstruction,” using “flimsy excuses” and legal procedures to delay action.
Opponents of the proposal insisted that the council currently lacks sufficient legal backing to order the monument’s dismantlement. Vox spokesperson Luis de los Reyes Sosa stated that the sculpture is classified by the Juan de Ávalos Foundation as a “monument to peace” and argued it does not violate current laws, as it lacks any elements that glorify Franco’s regime.
Zaida González of the Partido Popular echoed this viewpoint, accusing the PSOE of exploiting Franco’s legacy for political gain. She argued the monument should be viewed as a tribute to peace, despite historical documents presenting it in a context that highlights the regime’s glorification.
José Alberto Díaz Estébanez from Coalición Canaria maintained that their stance remains unchanged, asserting that immediate removal isn’t legally feasible. He emphasised the artistic and heritage value of the sculpture, valued by some assessments at up to €50 million.
Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez confirmed the city’s compliance with the law, stating there is no official designation of the monument as a Francoist relic. He pointed out that any significant action would require a new catalogue of Francoist vestiges to be approved, following the annulment of the previous one by the courts.
Bermúdez acknowledged awareness of the BIC declaration rejection through the media and mentioned the existence of three reports suggesting possible artistic values that might warrant protection. He personally views the sculpture as a tribute to Franco’s victory but affirmed that personal opinions cannot replace the necessary official certification required by legal processes. “We’re not going to take shortcuts,” he concluded during the session.
