Fernando Clavijo, the President of the Canary Islands, will stand as the Coalición Canaria (CC) candidate for the regional presidency in elections scheduled for 23 May 2027. He secured 79 out of a possible 80 endorsements in the party’s internal selection process.
Clavijo, who only did not receive his own nomination, will have his candidacy voted on at the party’s National Political Council meeting on 3 October in Gran Canaria. He also serves as the secretary general of CC and has run for the presidency of the Canary Islands four times before.
He expressed that he approached this process “with responsibility and also with nerves,” as he aims to meet the expectations of both the Canary Islands and party members. Clavijo advocates for a “Canarian way” of doing politics, opposing the current climate of “tension” and “conflict.” He believes CC should focus on solutions rather than blame-shifting.
Regarding discussions with other nationalist parties, Clavijo mentioned collaboration with fellow party members from Gran Canaria, including Pablo Rodríguez and Marcial Morales, who recently announced his own candidacy for the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria mayoralty in the 2027 municipal elections for Primero Canarias.
Emphasising the need for “unity among Canarian nationalists,” Clavijo warned that without parties like CC or the emerging Primero Canarias, voters may face a choice only between a PP and Vox government or one led by the PSOE.
He noted that aside from the Basque Country, only the Canary Islands are governed by parties outside the PP and PSOE, maintaining that it is beneficial for regions to have a nationalist party that prioritises citizens’ interests instead of aligning with “fanatics.”
Clavijo argued that this unity is crucial not only for autonomy from external influence but also for amplifying the Canary Islands’ presence in Madrid, where he believes vital services for locals can be secured.
David Toledo, CC’s Organisation Secretary, stated that the party opened the selection process nearly four months ago. Clavijo was the sole participant, presenting 79 endorsements from the seven insular organisations, alongside youth groups and organisations in Argentina, Uruguay, and Venezuela that support his candidacy.
