The Socialist Party of Lanzarote has lamented the statements of the president of the Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort, who, after the Popular Party's vote against the free public transport, has announced that the Cabildo will assume the cost of this measure.
For the PSOE, "this position, in addition to reflecting a total disconnection with the responsibilities that it should assume as president of the Cabildo and being a sign of lack of perspective and ignorance of the true scope of its functions and obligations, intends to burden the taxes of the people of Lanzarote with a measure that is required by law and 100% financed by the Government of Spain."
Ariagona González, spokesperson for the Socialist Group in the Cabildo of Lanzarote, has described these statements as “an insult to the intelligence of the citizens of Lanzarote and the Canary Islands.” “The bonus for public transport is a successful measure, applauded by the majority of society, which encourages the use of collective transport, reduces emissions and facilitates the mobility of working people. The fact that the president of the Cabildo now intends for us to pay for it with our own resources, when it is guaranteed by law through the Government of Spain, is a mockery and a sign of political submission to the Popular Party,” said González.
The PSOE of Lanzarote has pointed out that these statements by Betancort "show a complicity between CC and the PP that directly harms the citizens of the island". “Instead of defending the rights of Lanzarote and demanding that the PP fulfill its responsibilities, the president of the Cabildo chooses to divert island funds that should be used to solve urgent problems such as the housing emergency, the water crisis or tourist saturation,” he adds.
In addition, the socialists have denounced the situation of “abandonment and precariousness” of the public transport system in Lanzarote. “It is unacceptable that the citizens of our island, especially those who work in tourist centers, take hours to get to their jobs due to an absolutely deficient transport system, typical of another century. Instead of assuming the cost of free transport, the Cabildo should be investing in improving the service to make it dignified and efficient,” González stressed.
The PSOE has urged the president of the Cabildo to prioritize the needs of the people of Lanzarote over partisan interests. “The resources of this island must be used to solve the real problems of our people, not to cover the shortcomings of a Popular Party that votes against the citizens,” concluded González.
