Von Marlis Zoschke
Fernando Clavijo was born on the island. He dates back to the Franco era, having been born in 1971. He describes himself as an economist, businessman and politician. He became politically active at a young age and also campaigned for the autonomy of the islands.
Surely he must be keen to ensure that everything possible is done to protect the population and ensure their prosperity. His rejection of a visitor’s tax is baffling. Is he acting in a dictatorial manner here? Or is this simply part of his CC Party, which is said to consist of conservatives, regionalists and former communists?
As a politician, he ought to know that he has a duty to protect the population from harm, and that the many tourists who are almost swarming the island also have a right to protection. Yet of late, there have been many unusual reports in the press.
Is Fernando Clavijo acting in the best interests of the Canary Islands?
When have there ever been sexual assaults, thefts, road accidents, lung cancer and so many drownings on this scale? Of course, times have changed, and so have the travellers. Respect for people has currently reached an all-time low. Perhaps this on Tenerife isn’t yet so drastically noticeable; it simply takes a little longer to become apparent here than in Europe.
And once again, the visitor’s tax – which is desperately needed – has been rejected. I only have to think of the dilapidated sewerage system, where bacteria can cause deadly diseases. There is a great deal to be done across the whole island, but this cannot be paid for solely out of the taxes paid by those on low incomes.
Where on earth is all the money that tourists spend on the islands? Many people also cause a great deal of damage, whether intentionally or not. Is there really no one in the coalition who will say that things cannot go on like this? Can Clavijo decide on such abuses single-handedly? If so, the Canary Islands are a long way from being a democracy!
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