Yoné Caraballo to Represent Nueva Canarias in 2027 Lanzarote Elections
Yoné Caraballo, a member of the Nueva Canarias party, has announced his candidacy for the presidency of the Lanzarote Cabildo in the upcoming 2027 elections. He advocates for a tourist moratorium that would halt the construction of new hotel beds, aims to tighten taxation against property speculation, and seeks to revive a territorial model inspired by the late artist César Manrique.
In a recent interview, Caraballo highlighted the challenges of rising population growth in Lanzarote, which, alongside Fuerteventura, has seen significant increases due to an influx of foreign residents. He warned that continued growth could overwhelm local services and push young locals out due to high housing costs.
“We cannot keep building hotels that attract workers who have nowhere to live,” Caraballo stated, emphasizing the need for immediate action. He believes that the island, already struggling with water shortages and overburdened public services, has reached a critical point.
Caraballo also pointed out that many of Lanzarote’s current problems stem from a lack of comprehensive planning. The island still relies on a planning policy over thirty years old, allowing for further tourism development at a time when infrastructure is already under strain.
He proposed that a tourist moratorium could renew and modernise existing hotel establishments rather than expanding new ones. The benefits of such a policy could extend to local businesses, helping to address the housing crisis for workers.
Criticising the current misuse of resources and political negligence, Caraballo expressed his intention to hold speculators accountable with stricter tax measures. He acknowledges that this approach may create opposition but insists his focus remains on serving the majority of Lanzarote’s residents.
While he appreciates the need for effective governance, Caraballo is sceptical about the Canary Islands Government’s commitment to improving local healthcare, particularly concerning the Insular Hospital. He fears it may lose its critical services, potentially becoming a luxury retirement facility, contrary to the needs of the population.
Addressing water management issues, he noted that Lanzarote’s outdated water infrastructure is failing to meet the needs of its growing population. The island’s water systems are on the verge of collapse due to years of neglect and insufficient investment.
Caraballo is also critical of the current trajectory of Canary Island nationalism, urging for a united leftist front to counter right-wing movements. He is determined to engage progressive parties to combat what he views as a drift towards extreme right ideologies within local politics.
As he embarks on his candidacy, Caraballo aims to re-establish a more sustainable and equitable Lanzarote for its residents, advocating for a balance between growth and the preservation of the island’s unique environment.
