The Canary Islands Government’s Finance Minister, Matilde Asián, stated on Tuesday that, following the initial 100 million euros paid by the State in 2024, «not a single euro more» had been received by the regional government’s accounts for the reconstruction of La Palma.
Asián gave this response during a plenary session of the regional parliament to a question from PP MP Jacob Qadri as to whether the Spanish Government had already provided the 100 million corresponding to the 2026 instalment.
The minister pointed out that, in November 2023, the central government undertook to provide 400 million euros, 100 million per year, to address the damage caused by the 2021 volcanic eruption.
La Palma: Direct state aid has not been forthcoming since 2024
As she explained, the first 100 million were paid in January 2024, but no further sums relating to that commitment have been transferred since then.
Asián has criticised the fact that, in both 2025 and 2026, the central government allowed the Canary Islands to use their own funds from the surplus to finance the reconstruction of La Palma, rather than making a direct contribution.
She added that the authorisation to use those resources ceased to be exceptional once it was subsequently extended to other autonomous communities.
The agricultural sector on La Palma is awaiting outstanding funding
For his part, Qadri criticised the central government for the fact that the Canary Islands have had to advance funds from their own resources, and called for clarity regarding the outstanding amounts, particularly in order to continue with the recovery of the agricultural sector.
The MP has cited, amongst other needs, bringing farms into production, opening up farm tracks and restoring irrigation facilities.
«400 million pledged, but La Palma is still waiting for the money»
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