Canarian Parliament Demands State Reform of the 1988 Coastal Law

The initiative aims to protect traditional coastal homes in the Canary Islands and end legal uncertainty affecting thousands of families.

Generic image of hands signing a document in a parliamentary setting.
IA

Generic image of hands signing a document in a parliamentary setting.

The Parliament of the Canary Islands has approved an initiative to request the Government of Spain to urgently modify the 1988 Coastal Law, aiming to safeguard homes in traditional coastal settlements.

This legislative action follows decades of administrative and judicial conflicts that have created uncertainty regarding the permanence of thousands of homes. According to affected groups and parliamentary factions, the state regulation has failed to consider the unique geographical and cultural characteristics of the islands.

"This struggle is not a matter of party acronyms, but of justice and coherence."

a popular deputy
The proposal, driven by the Popular Party and the Socialist Party, seeks to correct the effects of a law described as "unjust" for not adapting to the social reality of a territory where the coast is fundamental to its identity. A popular deputy highlighted the suffering of families who have spent years defending their homes, noting that the current law "draws lines without criteria" causing deep legal insecurity.
Although the PSOE supported the measure, a socialist deputy emphasized the need for the Government of the Canary Islands to develop its own competencies through an autonomous law, in addition to the state reform. He recalled that the solution requires the implementation of tools already permitted by the Statute of Autonomy.
The final resolution of the Parliament not only urges the Congress of Deputies but also establishes a roadmap for coastal self-management. With the support of Nueva Canarias and the other forces in the Chamber, it was agreed to urge the State to recognize the volcanic and social uniqueness of the Canary Islands in the law, demand the full transfer of powers in coastal matters, and promote a Canarian Coastal Law to provide stability to historical settlements.
Despite broad consensus, unanimity was broken on the point related to the creation of an autonomous law, where one political party voted against. The debate was marked by the memory of past demolitions, such as those that occurred on Cho Vito beach, in Candelaria. With this action, the islands send a clear message: the survival of traditional coastal settlements is a priority that requires a modern legal framework respectful of the inhabitants' deep connection to the sea.