Fernando Clavijo has appointed Teodoro Sosa as the top candidate for the Congress of Deputies in Las Palmas, a decision made without prior consultation and amidst speculation about the challenges ahead. This move aims to solidify support for the Canary Coalition (CC) ahead of the general elections on 29 November 2023.
Clavijo, fully aware of his party’s decline after over thirty years in power, is keen to reverse the trend that has seen CC’s influence waning against rising political rivals. Recognising the need for renewal, he is repositioning CC, fostering alliances with other parties under the banner of “nationalist convergence.”
Sosa, the mayor of Gáldar, has been thrust into the spotlight following Clavijo’s public endorsement, although it has sparked tension with some members of Primero Canarias, the party formed from a split in CC. Questions surround Sosa’s ability to secure votes not just in Gran Canaria, where he is well-known, but also in the other islands of the province, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.
CC’s strategy sees Sosa aiming for a dual role; if he performs well in the elections, it could boost his standing for future positions within the party, particularly in the Gran Canaria council. Failing to gain a seat may, conversely, diminish his political capital.
In response to Clavijo’s unexpected decision, Primero Canarias is pushing to clarify their candidate for Congress, calling an urgent meeting of their political council on Tuesday to discuss the implications of the upcoming elections.
Separately, Drago Canarias has announced it will contest the elections independently, rejecting offers to form a broader leftist alliance. Their leader, Alberto Rodríguez, has distanced the party from merging with other leftist factions, believing such a coalition would undermine their goals.
As Clavijo makes moves that stir controversy within the ranks, he continues to face scrutiny over actions aimed at bolstering his party’s presence on a national stage, even amid a lack of public support for their political broadcasts.
