We have been witnessing an intense debate within Nueva Canarias for a year. During all this time, the positions, far from coming closer, have reached their zenith of disagreement in recent weeks with the announcement by one of the parties in conflict to leave the organization after the decision of the leadership not to propose agreements until the July congress. During all this time I have maintained a prudent position so as not to contaminate my institutional role as president of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria and to prioritize the stability of the island government that is providing such good results for the progress of Gran Canaria. I will continue to maintain it, but the almost certainty that the differences of position between the different parties in conflict within NC will not end in an agreement and will generate a fracture in the organization that represents progressive nationalism in the Canary Islands forces me to publicly share a responsible reflection on the serious consequences of this division.
The need for a nationalist project of progress in the Canary Islands has been evident throughout the years of democracy: when we have had representation in the Spanish Parliament defending the forgotten rights of this land, in the municipal governments that have led the social and economic transformation of this island after Franco's dictatorship, from the Cabildo promoting an integrative eco-social development model for Gran Canaria and from the Government or in the Canarian Parliament promoting a model of social welfare that guarantees health, public education or the defence of the territory.
Given this background, I am extremely concerned that a force that is being useful for the lives of our people and for defending the rights of the Canary Islands is breaking up. And even more so if we analyse the national and international context in which we are immersed, in which we see the rise of totalitarianism and populism as well as the growth of far-right and fascist movements in Europe and on the planet. And we cannot ignore this.
Democracy is in crisis in the world. Totalitarianism and exclusionary positions that expel vulnerable sectors from the enjoyment of fundamental rights are advancing. The “reactionary international” is spreading throughout the world. Climate denialism, the destruction of public property, the collapse of the Welfare State, of universal rights and of achieved rights are becoming strategic objectives for the extreme right, ultra-liberalism and anti-democracy. Inequality and poverty are growing while a few are becoming increasingly richer. Society is becoming polarised with the weakening or disappearance of the middle classes and desperation is generating confusion and looking towards extreme positions that prevent an integrative solution. And all this is much more noticeable in fragile and isolated territories like ours.
The trade war that Trump's announced imposition of tariffs on imports, including those from his trading partners, will unleash could also have a strong impact on Gran Canaria, since the Port of La Luz and Las Palmas are one of our main vectors of economic diversification.
We cannot forget the importance for the islands of building an international framework of peace and respect for international law. We have a key geostrategic position, and the growing militarization of international relations as well as the imperialism of some powers (Russia, Israel, the USA, Morocco, etc.) can have destabilizing effects, putting our security at risk.
In Spain we see how the clashes between the different parties are becoming more entrenched, which generates disaffection and rejection towards politics and institutions. We also see how colonial contempt for the reality of the Canary Islands and conservative positions in autonomous governments are increasing, weakening public services and increasing exclusionary centralism. This represents a clear threat to the state of the autonomous regions, as we can see, for example, with the unfair and unsupportive treatment given to the Canary Islands by systematically rejecting a supportive redistribution of the reception of immigrant minors who arrive here.
Only the most self-centered territories, with long-standing nationalisms and a lot of popular support, are able to resist the advance of centralism or reactionary policies, which are often followed by the so-called state parties such as the PP or the PSOE. We have always defended, and now it is more necessary than ever, that the Canary Islands need to have their own powerful voice in the state concert, with even more reasons than other territories due to their unique characteristics and the traditional neglect that we suffer from those central powers.
The crisis in New Canary Islands coincides with the totalitarian, geostrategic and colonial drift that we are suffering at the state, continental and planetary level. To ignore this reality is a huge irresponsibility. Now, more than ever, we have the obligation to rush all the initiatives that are needed to find a rational solution to the conflict that threatens to end in a rupture and, therefore, in the division and weakening of progressive nationalism in the Canary Islands.
In this context, it is essential to have a progressive nationalist political movement in the Canary Islands, a voice that represents our needs in a context of changing times. And I say movement and not just party, because it has to go far beyond the partisan-institutional and fight the cultural and social battle in a time of profound social and economic right-wing drift. And the truth is that, today, Nueva Canarias is essential to build that movement.
To undermine the current strength of progressive nationalism and put at risk the left-wing alliances for the coming years in the main institutions of the Canary Islands is a huge irresponsibility. The division fragments this political space, weakens it exponentially and therefore breaks the possibility of forming progressive governments in town councils, island councils and in the autonomous community itself for a long time. It breaks the possibility of taking on the challenge of combating the effects of global warming, the lack of housing, the dysfunctions of the tourism model or inequality. It opens the way to the scenario that we already saw a few years ago when Coalición Canaria governed as it pleased using the wild cards of the PP or the PSOE, depending on the circumstances.
With the break with the independent groups, NC is significantly weakened in Gran Canaria. It will significantly lose municipal, island and regional power. The possibility of joining forces with minority groups in different municipalities is not enough.
The conglomerate of independent groups, until now the municipal bastion of NC, is made up, as we all know, of a significant ideological diversity and runs the risk of dividing again as in times not so long ago: the last alliance of NC with Sumar is a good example of this. Alone they will only be able to consolidate their local power and, at most, have a scarce presence in the Cabildo. The temptation that could arise in this independent amalgam of moving towards unnatural alliances would provoke a new division, a new fragmentation, a lesser capacity to decide on island and autonomous politics.
We are facing a crucial moment and only the generosity and vision of everyone can achieve a worthy agreement. Citizens turn to me every day in the hope of a response that will ensure the continuity of a force that is being useful for Gran Canaria and for the Canary Islands as a whole. What is being debated is much more than an internal reorganisation and a discrepancy in one of many organisations. The significance that the debate is having in society demonstrates this.
I believe that the current leadership of NC has the greatest responsibility to deal with this situation: it must be addressed with a broad vision and without personalism. Decisions cannot be based on organic majorities with much less institutional representation and much fewer votes than those who have raised the conflict. A solution cannot be found by spreading lies (I understand this quite well since I have experienced it first hand) or by generating instabilities. We cannot turn our backs on what 80% of the organic or public officials in Gran Canaria are proposing. Political debate cannot be replaced by personal loyalties.
The critical sector should not propose alternatives through improvisation and haste when it becomes clear that the avenues for dialogue are exhausted. Without strategies, with ambiguities regarding future agreements. Running ahead to see what will happen later is dangerously fragile. Pragmatism cannot replace a clear ideological determination.
I recognise that too much time has been lost in reaching an agreement that I consider feasible and possible. But it is never too late if the objective is worth it. In progressive nationalism, no one can be left out. I am convinced that the majority of our society, even those who did not vote for us, recognise that a nationalism like that of NC is necessary to defend the fundamental rights of our people. It is inexcusable to respond to this demand. It is the responsibility of all of us. I insist: the rise of totalitarianism, anti-democracy, illiberalism, the extreme right, neo-fascism, climate denialism or contempt for the reality of the Canary Islands increases the urgency of seeking an agreement. It is a historical obligation.
