The representative for New Canary Islands-Canarist Bloque (NC-BC) in Tenerife, Valentín Correa, expressed his disappointment this Friday regarding the decision of PP and CC to welcome Vox, “the extreme right”, into the government in Arona, deeming it a “clear symptom” that “the last thing on their minds” is the well-being of the community, the principles, the safeguarding of fundamental rights, public services, and political agendas “as advocated by those seeking the trust of the electorate.”
In a press release, Correa voiced his apprehension over the rise of “the extreme right” within the City Council, following the addition of two Vox councillors after the fracturing of the previous coalition in Arona, which led to the removal of four mayors.
The president of NC-BC, Román Rodriguez, highlighted that “progressive Canarism” stands as “the only faction in the Canarian Parliament that has established a ‘sanitary cord’ against Vox’s authoritarianism.” He noted that CC has indeed transgressed “its own red lines” in relation to “ultra-right” rhetoric and tactics, particularly regarding the approach taken towards the immigration crisis involving unaccompanied minors.
In this context, the leader of NC-BC called for efforts to achieve “maximum unity” in the “constant pledge to uphold democratic freedoms and values against any form of totalitarian inclination.”
Regarding the political situation in Arona, NC-BC has expressed concern that the mayor, Fatima Lemes, alongside her newly formed municipal coalition (PP, CC, and Vox), is behaving “entirely detached” from reality. “Improvisation has become their signature, along with a commitment to an unsustainable developmental model,” remarked Correa.
Consequently, they warn that these traits have become “the prevailing norm, which will be escalated, in a far more alarming way,” hampering the progress “towards a more sustainable socioeconomic framework for Arona, which must avoid the inevitable collapse approaching the south of Tenerife.”
“This predicament could have been averted had they prioritised the common good over personal agendas,” stated Correa, who claims that this matter “seriously jeopardises the operation of a minority government.” They assert that since the beginning of the mandate, NC-BC councillor Nauzet Fariña has advocated for the enhancement of public services, housing access in a municipality enduring a “chaotic” situation, and improvements to mobility in response to the impending traffic gridlock at the port of Los Cristianos.
Furthermore, efforts include the renovation of public educational institutions, investments in the water cycle amid the declared water emergency, the establishment of a “real” southern hospital, bolstering social services, and the defence of the rights of the most vulnerable groups, including LGBTIQ+, as well as combatting gender-based violence, which is “severely threatened by the denialist policies that the ultra-right seeks to enforce,” warned the island spokesperson.
Correa reaffirmed “the commitment” of Nueva Canarias Canarist Bloque, from the Unit of Progress Action, “to continue to engage in responsible governance” ensuring that issues affecting citizens “remain at the forefront, guided by our programme and principles, always prioritising the defence of the people’s interests and fundamental rights, through respect and dialogue.”
