Parliament plans to add La Graciosa to Canary Islands coat of arms

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A parliamentary committee in the Canary Islands has decided to set up a sub-committee tasked with adding an eighth rock to the coat of arms to represent La Graciosa.
Six parliamentary groups voted in favour, with 15 votes in favour, whilst Vox did not take part in the vote.
Experts in heraldry, history and genealogy, as well as representatives from La Graciosa, are to be given the opportunity to speak before the sub-committee.

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The Committee on Home Affairs, Regional Development and Justice has approved the creation of a sub-committee to amend the coat of arms of the Canary Islands and include an eighth rock to represent La Graciosa.

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The initiative was put forward by the PSOE, PP, CC, NC, ASG and the Mixed Group (AHI), and was approved by 15 votes in favour, with no votes against and no abstentions; Vox did not take part in the vote.

From now on, it will be up to the plenary session of the Canary Islands Parliament to ratify the creation of this sub-committee without prior debate, as the matter was dealt with on Tuesday.

The Canary Islands' coat of arms: experts and the people of La Graciosa have their say

This sub-committee will be attended by specialists in heraldry, history, archiving and genealogy, as well as representatives of the community of La Graciosa.

In support of this initiative, Marcos Bergaz (PSOE) recalled that in 2018 the Statute of Autonomy was amended «to give greater recognition» to La Graciosa, and more recently the island was included in the region’s official anthem.

Bergaz stated that «in a pluralistic, democratic, diverse and archipelagic society, the symbols that unite us all are of the utmost importance».

Cristina Calero (CC) has expressed her «certainty that today we are writing a new chapter in the history of the Canary Islands», through which «we are settling a historic debt to our own identity».

He emphasised that including La Graciosa in the coat of arms «is not a geographical whim but an act of strict social justice», and that with this change «the Canary Islands are complete».

Canary Islands: Political parties emphasise the importance of the eighth rock

Mónica Muñoz (PP) has pointed out that this change to the coat of arms «may seem minor» but has «significant meaning for our identity as a town».

He stated that «symbols must faithfully represent reality» and that a coat of arms is not «merely a drawing or a decorative element», but rather «conveys, both internally and externally, who we are as a people».

Carmen Hernández (NC) agreed that «beyond the symbolism», this change to the coat of arms serves to «reflect the true reality of the Canary Islands, there are eight inhabited islands, and to strengthen the sense of territorial cohesion and Canarian identity, as well as the idea that all the islands are equal in rights… and duties».

Jesús Ramos (ASG) has praised the work carried out during the ninth legislative term, both by the Government and the Canary Islands Parliament, towards amending the Statute in the Spanish Parliament, and has emphasised the need for the symbols, both the flag and the coat of arms, to ensure that «we all feel included».