Alfonso Cabello, the spokesman for the Canary Islands government and deputy minister for the Presidency, has voiced concerns over Spain’s increasingly polarised political climate, particularly the rise of the far right, ahead of the general elections on 29 November.
As the candidate for the Canary Coalition (CC) running for the Senate in Tenerife, Cabello warned that these elections will not only shape the next Spanish government but could also threaten the rights and progress achieved in the Canary Islands over the past decades.
“We’re not just dealing with red, blue, or green parties. What’s at stake is the potential loss of achievements made by the Canaries over the last 50 years,” the nationalist leader remarked, suggesting that current party conflicts are overshadowing key issues for the islands.
One pressing concern for Cabello is the future of the 75% discount on air and sea travel for residents, which he believes is crucial for ensuring the mobility of Canarians and offsetting the challenges of living on islands.
He pointed out that representatives from Vox have controversially proposed abolishing this discount in Congress, a move he believes would have dire economic and social consequences for the Canaries.
Cabello stated that removing the discount would deliver a “severe blow” to the islands’ economy, making trips to the mainland unaffordable—citing that a journey to Madrid could exceed £500, thus hindering connections between Canarians and the rest of the country.
He stressed that this discount should not be viewed as a privilege but as an established right necessary to mitigate the geographic isolation faced by the Canaries.
“What we stand to lose on 29 November isn’t just about the next budget. We risk losing many of the advancements we’ve achieved over the years,” he said.
Finally, Cabello questioned the focus of political debates on party conflicts and who will fill seats in Congress and the Senate. He believes the priority should be safeguarding the interests and rights of the Canary Islands in Madrid.
