Coalición Canaria, Municipalistas Primero Canarias, and twenty other local parties have joined forces to contest the general elections on 29 November. This agreement, known as the Declaration for Canarian Unity, was signed in Madrid by various nationalist and municipalist groups.
The initiative, led by the Canarian Unity Table, brings together organisations from all eight islands that have set aside their differences to create a joint candidacy focused on the shared priority of advancing Canarian interests.
Fernando Clavijo, Secretary General of Coalición Canaria, expressed gratitude for the courage and generosity shown by the groups involved in the agreement. He stated, “We have decided to put forward our best without personal interests. While others are fighting, we have chosen to unite to defend Canary Islands and address the real issues faced by our people.”
Óscar Hernández, President of Municipalistas Primero Canarias, said the unity table was established nearly a year ago and now represents a significant aspiration made real. “We are demonstrating that we can put aside differences and focus on what unites us, which is far greater than what divides us. Politics must be about dialogue and solutions for our land,” he asserted.
The joint candidacy for the Congress of Deputies will be led by Teodoro Sosa in Las Palmas, accompanied by María Fernández as the second candidate. Cristina Valido will head the list for Santa Cruz de Tenerife, followed by Jonathan Felipe.
Sosa highlighted the importance of the agreement for reconstructing Canarian nationalism, stating, “Today we make history. While others have divided us, we choose to unite again. We will not take orders from anybody in Madrid. We will defend our land with dialogue but stand firm, as we are the architects of our future.”
Valido added that this alliance would enhance the ability to advocate for Canarian interests in Madrid. “We are no longer alone. This changes everything from today, and there’s no going back. We need voices that can advocate for our region without being directed by national parties. We want respect, justice, and opportunities for our people,” she stated.
María Fernández emphasised the value of unity across organisations from various islands and political backgrounds. “We’re here not for our party names, but for the future of the Canary Islands. We’ve shown that variety energises us, but unity gives us strength. We no longer choose sides; we choose the Canary Islands. Now, we want not just recognition, but the power for the Canary Islands to decide,” she underscored.
The Declaration outlines twelve shared commitments for advocacy in Madrid, focusing on issues such as housing access, fair regional funding, the protection of the Economic and Fiscal Regime (REF), and the full implementation of the Statute of Autonomy. It also calls for continued discounts for residents, free public transport, increased state investment, support for the primary sector, improvements to public services, and a collaborative response to migration challenges.
Through this alliance, the nationalist and municipalist parties aim to forge a new era of cooperation that provides stronger representation for all islands in Madrid, prioritising the rights and needs of the Canary Islands over state party interests.
In addition to Coalición Canaria and Municipalistas Primero Canarias, signatories of the Declaration for Canarian Unity include Roque Aguayro, La Fortaleza de Santa Lucía, Asociación de Barrios de Valsequillo (ASBA), Plataforma Vecinal por Santa Brígida, Compromiso por Firgas (COMFIR), and others.
