Franquis (PSOE) accuses the government of creating a “social alarm and stimulation” while Jover (Vox) questions the “assault” on private property.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 14 (Europa Press)
The Plenary Session of the Parliament of the Canary Islands has approved the initiation of the parliamentary procedure for the Vacation Rental Law this Friday, following the rejection of total amendments presented by the socialist groups and Vox.
Tourism and Employment Minister of the Canary Islands Government, Jessica de León, stated that this legislation forms part of a strategy to ‘re-envision’ tourism during a period of growth for the “platform economy.”
She highlighted that holiday rentals are in “high demand” in the Canary Islands, seeing growths exceeding 20% since 2023. Although she acknowledged the right to private property, she believes that governing bodies must work diligently to mitigate “speculation” and provide legal clarity.
The new law imposes “limits,” which are enforced with precision across territories, allowing 90% of homes for residential use and 10% for tourist purposes, while in the instance of the ‘Green Islands,’ the allocation changes to 80% and 20% respectively.
Additionally, holiday rentals in VPO or ‘false hotels’ in entire housing blocks are prohibited. “We have targeted the major stakeholders,” she asserted.
De León urged for a balance to be achieved between the right to housing and tourist activities, “without criminalising or trivialising,” and argued that it is essential to establish “limits,” in line with recent statements from both the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court.
Although she perceives holiday rentals as “necessary” for the islands’ offerings, she advocated for a transitional framework and did not mask the “pressures” she has endured from various sectors, valuing the “dedication” of the president and Canary Islands Vice President, Fernando Clavijo and Manuel Domínguez.
She has further encouraged the groups to remain mindful of “coexistence” within the archipelago and the “future” of the islands, advocating that neighbourhoods should reflect the essence of the Canary Islands.
Sebastián Franquis, spokesperson for the socialist group, stated that numerous families are “suffering and overwhelmed” within the archipelago, criticising the government for choosing to align with the more powerful entities in this debate while undermining municipal authorities’ powers.
She asserted that there’s no “consensus” and has generated “significant doubts” among government members, reproaching the new regulation for lacking “common sense and social sensitivity.”
Franquis urged De León for “courage with the strong and not with the weak,” lamenting the government’s refusal to consider a moratorium and demanding regulations that reflect the majority’s perspectives.
He argued that there is no “comparison” between one municipality and another or between the ‘green islands’ and tourists, chastising that full responsibility is placed on municipalities “without the means.” “There’s much talk about governance in the Canary Islands yet, they treat them in this manner,” he remarked.
He predicted that if the bill is passed without amendments, “the lifespan of that bill will correspond with this government’s tenure.”
Paula Jover (Vox) asserted that the new law constitutes an “assault” on its citizens since it encompasses “100% of the municipalities,” accusing the government of “playing with what sustains it” and “threatening” entrepreneurs forced to increase wages.
She argued that the Executive “punishes” holiday rentals, scapegoating them to justify the “housing crisis” in the archipelago while calling for a “coherent” approach to holiday rentals not swayed by “governmental interests.” “They are not being transparent; there is no fair play,” she added.
She insisted on the need to “innovate” in the tourism sector and asserted that small property owners who have invested their savings should not be “expelled,” especially when little is being done “concerning home ‘squatters.’
There: the deputies must not “fold” despite the “pressures”
Raúl Acosta, spokesperson for the Mixed Group (AHI), indicated that regulating holiday rentals, which amount to more than 232,000 in the Canary Islands, is “interesting,” although he refrained from attributing the housing crisis solely to this factor, acknowledging the “fear” property owners have about renting out their homes.
“Whatever they decide, they will face criticism,” he told the minister, urging all the deputies to “collaborate” on regulation so that everything doesn’t rest solely with the Supreme Court and the Constitutional.
Consequently, he requested an effort and “decent work” to ensure municipalities have viable regulations, emphasising that deputies must not “yield” to the “pressures” of recent weeks.
Jesús Ramos (ASG) suggested establishing a study commission regarding holiday rentals, defending that it serves to distribute wealth within the Canary Islands and affirming the purpose is for all homes to comply with legality.
He argued that the housing shortage in the archipelago cannot be “attributed” to holiday rentals and offered his group’s “commitment” to strive for legislation securing broad consensus.
Esther González (NC-BC) supported the “ordering and regulation” of holiday rentals, yet was “critical” of the law’s content, which originated without consensus, as it seemingly only applauds the hotel industry.
She cautioned that the law will become “inapplicable” due to municipalities’ lack of technical and financial capacity, predicting it will be “ineffective,” as it fails to address the municipalities’ specifications or differentiate between large and small property owners. “This bill has missed the mark,” she asserted.
PP: This model cannot be “dismissed”
David Morales, representative of the popular group, asserted that this legislation essentially “blindfolds” holiday rentals, a form of activity that cannot be “discarded,” condemning PSOE and Vox for “ignoring” the necessity to harmonise tourism with access to housing.
He foresaw that the Canary Islands could become “a holiday destination for a while” and praised NC-BC for their consistency by rejecting a total amendment and opting instead to work on presenting partial amendments.
Socorro Blessed, part of the nationalist group, conveyed that regulating holiday rentals is essential, recognising that although it has created “opportunities” for Canary families, it has also led to “displacing” residents or inflating rental prices.
She highlighted the goal of making tourism activity “compatible” with access to housing, noting that other destinations have already implemented limitations, such as Catalonia, Amsterdam, or Venice.
Nevertheless, she affirmed that her group would aim to “enhance” the law, taking into consideration the unique characteristics of each island and emphasised that socialists have transitioned from advocating for an urgent decree law to calling for the retraction of the text.
“They lack direction or a concrete project; they are merely ‘drifting with the wind,'” she remarked.
