The President of the Gran Canaria Island Council, Antonio Morales, presented the proposed 2026 budget on Monday, totaling €1.055 billion, a 7% increase over 2025 (€69,6 million more). Morales emphasized that this budget reflects the economic strength of both the Council and the island, while prioritizing the renewal of tourism infrastructure, social programs, road improvements, and economic recovery.
Morales emphasized that the 2026 accounts will incorporate the previous year's surplus, amounting to 176,7 million euros, which can be added to the funds generated during 2025. "This will allow us to implement a financially sustainable investment plan," he explained, noting that the 2025 budget, initially 985,8 million euros, increased to nearly 1.300 billion euros thanks to the incorporation of surplus funds.
The president also emphasized that, as in previous years, the Island Council has not had to resort to loans or incur debt. The corporation's current debt is minimal, at €765.903, while its borrowing capacity would allow it to access an additional €972,5 million if necessary, demonstrating the institution's financial strength.
The budget allocated to Social Policies amounts to 345,9 million euros, the largest historical effort by the Cabildo, representing 32,7% of the total and increasing by 62,6 million compared to 2025. Morales highlighted that these funds increase every year and will allow, even without a dependency agreement signed with the Government of the Canary Islands, the expansion of socio-health places with their own resources.
In economic terms, the budget allocations amount to €314,9 million, while total investments reach €220,1 million, focused on infrastructure, roads, industrial and commercial areas, housing, and the renovation of tourism infrastructure. Collectively, the resources allocated to economic development and social policies total €660,8 million, equivalent to 62,62% of the budget, representing a 2% increase compared to 2025—an unprecedented figure in the history of the Island Council.
Among the highlighted projects are the Museum of Fine Arts, the new Infecar pavilion, the renovation of the Gran Canaria Stadium and the Island Sports Center, the rehabilitation of the Sports City, and the expropriations for the future train line. In terms of housing, the budget shows a 30% increase, according to the councilor for the area, Augusto Hidalgo.
President Morales stressed that these accounts will allow the continuation of the Transforma Plan, which channels nearly 2.000 billion euros in investments in Gran Canaria, reinforcing the Cabildo's capacity as an economic and social engine of the island.
Morales clarified that the available surplus (176,7 million euros) is not idle money, as the opposition has suggested, but rather resources already committed to awarded contracts, and that these funds can be incorporated into the budget as new surpluses are generated. This allows the Island Council to maintain a very low debt profile and ensures the sustainable execution of investments without needing to resort to external loans.
