Canary Islands government reacts to partial approval of Decreto Canarias

The Spanish Council of Ministers has approved parts of the ‘Decreto Canarias,’ a measure aimed at addressing regional needs in the Canary Islands. Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo acknowledged the approval as a step forward, despite noting the final result was not exactly what the regional government had negotiated for.

Key provisions include the authorization for the Canary Islands government to use 600 million euros from the 2025 surplus for sustainable investments, such as infrastructure, education, health, and public housing. Additionally, the decree allocates 100 million euros for reconstruction efforts in La Palma following volcanic eruptions and extends a 60 percent income tax (IRPF) bonus. The agreement also includes support for the primary sector through the Posei fund.

However, the organization Drago Canarias criticized the decision, labeling the measures as ‘crumbs’ compared to the archipelago's actual requirements. Spokesperson Carmen Peña argued that the partial approval ignores critical issues such as poverty, inequality, residency laws, and the need to diversify the productive model, claiming the central government has overlooked technical proposals submitted by the region.