SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 24th Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The spokesperson for the Socialist Parliamentary Group, Sebastián Franquis, has urged the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, to take responsibility for the shortcomings of his Government partner, the Popular Party (PP), in the handling of migrant minors and the refusal to consider amendments to the Immigration Law in Congress. Franquis even went as far as demanding the dismissal of the vice-president and the PP councillors within the Canary Islands Executive.
During the government control session, Sebastián Franquis described the recent events as “extremely serious” and questioned Clavijo on his future actions as president. “I implore you, who hold the power to resolve the grave crisis that has unfolded in this region. Own up to your duties as president, oust the PP councillors, and if you are incapable, call for elections and let the people of the Canary Islands make the call. By proposing to remove this issue from the agenda, you were not considering the best interests of the Canary Islands, but rather trying to save your Government,” he emphasised.
The socialist representative accused Clavijo of being untruthful in his criticisms of the PSOE’s handling of the Law amendment and blamed the central government for failing to engage with either the PP or Junts for negotiations on their proposals. “You are well aware that meetings have taken place up until yesterday (Tuesday), that documents have been circulated, and that as president you were requested to directly meet with the Popular Party and the Socialist Party,” he stated.
Sebastián Franquis reiterated that this is a problem originating from Clavijo’s Government: “Your Government partners, who voted against, have isolated this autonomous community, turned their backs on the Canary Islands. This is an agreement between the Spanish Government and the Canary Islands Government, which you, as President, should have defended. Your partners are at fault for leading us to this situation, the most severe political crisis witnessed by the Canary Islands in recent years.”
“You cannot ignore this. You hold the responsibility to find resolutions to this crisis as President of this autonomous community. I simply urge you to apply your political experience and ponder over the best interests of the Canary Islands,” Franquis insisted, stating that with the vote on Tuesday, “you were left speechless. The ball is in your court.” “There are two highly disheartening images for the Canary Islands – one of our autonomous community being ostracised, and the other of your failure as Government President. You possess the tools to end this crisis, to provide a different political era for this community. Acknowledge the responsibility you carry as the Government’s head,” he concluded.
In his response, Fernando Clavijo denied the PSOE’s accusation of him being a “liar” and stated that “not a single meeting” was held between Miguel Tellado and Ángel Víctor Torres. Moreover, he pointed out that the PP spokesperson in Congress had sent a document to the minister nine days before the vote, and his response was to “send a WhatsApp message the day before.” “Therefore, I reject the accusation of being called a liar,” Clavijo stressed, adding that the PSOE also did not have any meetings with the Junts spokesperson, Miriam Nogueras: “There was not a single phone call or meeting.”
According to the Canarian President, the events that unfolded in the Congress of Deputies have made it clear where the Socialist Party stands, that “their aim was to provoke a political crisis.” “That was your intent. Your disgrace has been exposed. I will not partake in such games. You are the ones governing Spain, and this is not an issue exclusive to the Canary Islands; it affects Spain and Europe, yet you turn a blind eye.”
