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La Voz Canaria

Political Contrasts in Northern Tenerife: Santa Úrsula and Buenavista, Two Opposing Models

The northern region of the island displays a unique ideological dichotomy between two neighboring municipalities, reflecting the diverse political landscape of the Canary Islands.

Generic image of a traditional town hall facade with a balcony and iron railings.
IA

Generic image of a traditional town hall facade with a balcony and iron railings.

Northern Tenerife presents a notable political contrast between Santa Úrsula, historically conservative, and Buenavista, a left-wing stronghold, a dichotomy that reflects the unique political idiosyncrasy of the Canary Islands.

Politics in the Canary Islands has always shown particular characteristics, as noted by the President of the Spanish Government during a visit to La Palma. This diversity is clearly manifested in the northern region of Tenerife, where two neighboring municipalities, Santa Úrsula and Buenavista, exhibit opposing ideological realities.
Santa Úrsula has been characterized by the predominance of conservative forces, with roots in insularism and regionalism, and a strong presence of the Popular Party since 2011. On the other hand, Buenavista has been a reference point for the left since 1983, with mayors from the PSOE and Sí Se Puede, and in the current term, all its councilors belong to center-left or alternative left formations.
This striking political contrast, unusual in Tenerife and much of the Canary Islands' regions, is partly explained by demographic and geographical differences. Santa Úrsula, with approximately 15,000 inhabitants, triples the population of Buenavista (around 4,700) and has grown as a "dormitory town," attracting residents from outside. Buenavista, in contrast, has maintained a stable population since 1981 and boasts a significant presence of protected natural areas.
The political evolution of Santa Úrsula was strongly influenced by the figure of a mayor who governed since 1965 and consolidated absolute majorities after the arrival of democracy, first under UCD and then with a localist formation (AISU) linked to Coalición Canaria. Although in 2011 the Popular Party achieved a historic change by taking the absolute majority from AISU, the latter regained power in 2015.
In contrast, Buenavista has a historical tradition of left-wing, trade unionist, and republican sentiment. After a brief period of UCD government, the PSOE obtained an absolute majority in 1983 with a young mayor, maintaining power until 2011, when Sí Se Puede took over the mayoralty. Although there have been alternations and pacts, the left has predominated in this municipality, which is currently considered the most left-leaning in Tenerife.

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