Clavijo criticises Spain's response to Canary Islands migration

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Clavijo accuses the Spanish government of doing little to address the rising numbers of migrants; more than 3,800 migrants have arrived since the beginning of September.
Clavijo fears a repeat of the end of 2024, when 47,000 people arrived on the coasts of the Canary Islands.
The Canary Islands government intends to propose a decree-law to Madrid that would restrict the purchase of property by foreigners on the islands.

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The President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, on Monday criticised what he considers to be a «lack of response» from the Spanish Government to the surge in migration, following the arrival of more than 3,800 migrants on the islands‘ shores since the beginning of September.

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Clavijo, who made these remarks in Madrid, where he had travelled to take part in the events marking the National Day, warned that the new European migration pact «could intensify» the «retention effect» in border territories and regions, which, in his view, is precisely what the European Union is seeking.

«We are very concerned that we might see a repeat of the situation at the end of 2024», when 47,000 people arrived on the Canary Islands‘ shores, said the president, who added that he is waiting for the Spanish Government to respond to «this new wave of migration».

Agenda Canaria: Clavijo pushes for decisions ahead of the elections

In light of the recent announcement of an election, Fernando Clavijo has stated that his government is «stepping up» its contacts with the various ministries to ensure that the commitments agreed under the Canary Islands Agenda are approved at the remaining Cabinet meetings before the election.

Among these commitments, he mentioned the 60 per cent reduction in personal income tax for residents of La Palma in 2027, the 200 million allocated for the reconstruction of the island, which the Canary Islands Government has already brought forward, free bus and tram travel, and the extension of the roads agreement for at least four years, as well as educational infrastructure and the housing plan.

Housing market to be eased through purchase restrictions

With regard to housing, he has announced that the Canary Islands Government will propose to the Spanish Government the wording of a decree-law to restrict the purchase of property by foreign nationals in the archipelago.

«That, combined with the measures implemented by the Canary Islands Government, which are already reversing the trend, will enable us to ease the pressure on the housing market,» he said.

The regional president has expressed his hope that the election campaign will be a debate of ideas, given that Spain and the Canary Islands «face significant challenges ahead».