Coalición Canaria (CC) has accused the Partido Socialista Obrero Español (PSOE) of neglecting the Canary Islands’ situation regarding migration management. They criticise the government’s delegate in the Canaries, Anselmo Pestana, for attempting to shift responsibility away from the state instead of providing solutions and resources.
CC emphasises that the islands serve as an external border for both Spain and Europe, which entails certain obligations that the government must uphold consistently. They argue that the state’s presence cannot be limited to border control; it must also address the identification and assessment of individuals arriving on Spanish territory.
The nationalist party believes the PSOE’s stance highlights the absence of a coherent state immigration policy. They stress that the Atlantic migration flows represent an ongoing issue requiring comprehensive planning and involvement from relevant authorities, rather than ad-hoc responses.
Additionally, CC points out that the assessment process is essential under the new European Migration and Asylum Pact, which has been in effect since June. This process is crucial for identifying vulnerabilities, especially with concerns about the ages of those arriving, which may include minors needing protection.
They assert that the state cannot offload all responsibilities to the regional government when it comes to managing these arrivals. For years, the Canary Islands have been using their own resources to care for thousands of unaccompanied migrant minors.
CC underscores that they are not seeking any special treatment but want the Spanish government to act responsibly from the outset, sharing the burden of migration management instead of passing it all to the Canaries.
This demand is not new, as CC has long advocated for a stable triage mechanism with adequate resources. They view the new European framework as an opportunity rather than another reason to argue about responsibilities while the Canaries bear the consequences.
The party insists that the migration crisis is not solely a Canary Islands issue; it affects the southern border of Spain and Europe. They are calling on the Spanish government to correct its course, stop making excuses, and agree on a stable response that ensures effective state involvement in managing arrivals.
“Canarias has met its responsibilities and will continue to do so, but we won’t accept that the state shirks its responsibilities and forces us to carry the load as well. Migration flows are structural and require a national policy. The Canaries are the border of Spain and Europe in all respects, including when it comes to response and resource allocation.”
