Representatives from the Government of the Canary Islands and the State are convening in Santa Cruz de Tenerife for a crucial meeting. State representatives include Myriam Álvarez, Secretary General for Territorial Coordination; Rafael Briet, Director General for Autonomous Cooperation; and Gonzalo Díaz, Director General for Autonomous Legal Regime. The Canarian delegation comprises Nieves Lady Barreto, Minister of the Presidency; Alfonso Cabello, Vice-Minister of the Presidency; and Ceferino Marrero, Secretary General. The aim is to pave the way for an agreement that unblocks vital issues for deepening island self-governance.
Key topics on the agenda include the co-management of the Archipelago's airports, control over the tax incentives of the Economic and Fiscal Regime (REF), and the extension of deadlines for projects linked to the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism (MRR funds), particularly those allocated to the Ministry of Ecological Transition. The Canarian Government seeks substantial negotiation, while the State, though willing to engage, has expressed reservations about the scope of some demands.
“"The State does not allow us to do anything."
A central point of contention is the 2.8 billion euros blocked by the State, a sum equivalent to a fifth of the autonomous budget for 2026. This amount includes Canarias' borrowing capacity, which could reach 1.6 billion without exceeding the 13% GDP debt target (currently at 10.8%), and 1.2 billion from advance payments for 2026 that the State Treasury has yet to remit.
Airport co-management is another fundamental demand, given Canarias' reliance on air connectivity and its limited involvement in Aena's decisions. The Canarian Government argues that the Statute of Autonomy supports this claim, seeking to develop an already recognized framework of competencies without disrupting the state model. Minister Ángel Víctor Torres has suggested creating a bilateral body, but without granting full co-management.
Furthermore, Fernando Clavijo's Executive aims for greater control over the REF's tax incentives, considered the charter of Canarian self-governance. They seek more direct participation in the management and oversight of these incentives. Finally, Canarias requests an extension for the MRR funds, citing its status as an outermost region, the additional costs of insularity, and administrative complexities that slow down the execution of energy projects.
In parallel, the Canarian Observatory of Air and Space Mobility, promoted by the Real Sociedad Económica de Amigos del País de Gran Canaria, has urged the Government of the Canary Islands to take legal action to demand airport management and counter what it perceives as an abuse of dominant position by Aena. This initiative underscores the need for the Archipelago to have its own air connectivity policy.
