The canarismo of progress facing the new year

January 6 2024 (20:47 WET)

The progress canarismo has numerous challenges this year to continue responding to the needs of Canarian society and improving the well-being of its people. And, to do this, it is essential to articulate the highest degree of unity among the political organizations, groups and people that make up the progressive space of Canarian obedience. With the aim that in the 2027 elections it will far exceed 15% of the vote to Parliament and be decisive in the formation of government in the Islands and in curbing ultraliberal ideas in our land. Working from modesty, dialogue and the search for meetings between those who share the essential regarding the transformations that the Canary Islands need, although there are issues in which legitimate differences remain. We will do so from the relevance of self-government and with a program of progress at the service of the social majority. With alternatives to overcome our problems and deficits.

In the latest Canary Islands Sociobarometer (SBC) published, that of November 2023, the problems that most concern citizens are highlighted. This is a sociological instrument that we initially launched during my time as President of the Government of the Canary Islands (1999/2003) and that we recovered last legislature from the Vice Presidency through an agreement with the Foundation for Distance Higher Education of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, leaving its elaboration in the hands of the latter. I believe that its continuity would be a success, regardless of who has the tasks of government in the Canary Islands. To continue learning more about our society and the feelings of its citizens on the most diverse issues.

The November SBC includes among the major problems a block of issues linked to the economic situation (prices, employment, taxes...). It is true that the Canary Islands continues the good economic and employment situation inherited from the previous legislature, after overcoming the devastating effects of the Covid 19 pandemic, recovering the GDP of 2019 in the middle of last year and with records of employment and affiliation to Social Security. But it is no less true that the first measures of the new CC-PP Government represent a shift towards a notorious conservatism. An Executive that fails to comply with the laws of Education, Culture or Social Services in the Budgets. And whose first and urgent major measure after taking office was to lower taxes for those who have the most, a minority that does not reach 1% of the population and that has been enormously benefited by the CC and PP Executive.

This extreme diligence contrasts with the interests of the richest with the forgetfulness when adopting measures to alleviate the effects of inflation in the family's shopping basket and in goods: not a single action in favor of workers and the middle class, the self-employed and SMEs, except for the extension of some measure of the Government of Progress, such as the reduction of personal income tax for middle and low incomes, which they criticized at the time and described as insufficient. We will continue to defend a progressive and fair taxation, essential for a balanced and supportive society, for the financing of public services and the development and maintenance of infrastructure.

 

Health

A priority issue is Health, in which citizen complaints are growing in all communities. In the Canarian case, in the latest Sociobarometer it appears as the second major problem, behind unemployment. After the commendable response to the pandemic, all health systems are strained and need to be rethought. To face challenges such as the aging of society and chronicity, as well as the response to growing demands and constant technological advances. From the defense of a universal, equitable and quality public system, preventive actions and healthy habits are becoming increasingly valuable. As well as implementing a more professionalized management. A second major transformation of the Canarian health system is required, as was done in the 90s, enabling a huge leap forward. With mental health as one of its essential axes.

In addition, from the canarismo of progress we defend redoubling efforts in care policies for our elders and dependent people. Guaranteeing the highest levels of personal autonomy and dignified life. Canarian society must commit to health, social health, urban planning, housing, leisure and relational actions. Combating unwanted loneliness, embracing intergenerational solidarity and building an increasingly inclusive and welcoming society. Developing the Canarian Income and assuming the management of the Minimum Living Income (IMV).

On the other hand, we have to make access to decent housing under reasonable conditions a reality. Not only by implementing the offer of official protection. This, although necessary, is insufficient in the face of a reality of people and families with average incomes, with employment, who cannot access housing either for rent or ownership. Numerous neighborhoods are very strained, with a lack of housing or exorbitant prices, which also contributes to the enormous difficulties of young people to become independent. Solutions must be offered using the instruments facilitated by the housing law.

Sustainable mobility is another challenge for the coming years. We have the obligation to guarantee the right to move freely in public transport or by bicycle and scooter. This requires urban and mental changes that will enable more friendly and breathable environments. We will continue to bet on buses and taxis, as well as on the implementation of guided transport, powered by renewable energies, both in Gran Canaria and Tenerife.

Equality between women and men in all areas of life constitutes another unavoidable objective for the canarismo of progress. The right-wing executives in all the autonomous communities, also in the Canary Islands, have cut in 2024 the budget items allocated to the departments of equality and the fight against gender violence, following the agenda pointed out by the extreme right.

An extreme right that makes an obscene political use of migratory events, promoting marginalization and hatred. In Nueva Canarias-Bloque Canarista (NC-bc) we do not share the European Migration and Asylum Pact, and we defend migration policies that allow regulated arrivals without risk to the life and freedom of migrants. Placing special emphasis on greater guarantees for unaccompanied minors and their mandatory distribution by law among the autonomous communities.

We do not ignore the problems of population growth of the Islands that, with the current rate, will increase its population by half a million inhabitants in the next twenty years. With consequences on housing, infrastructure, public services and energy or water consumption. Reflecting on this is to do so on how to define a sustainable and self-centered model. Which requires a diversified, digital and decarbonized economy, in which tourism will continue to play an important role, orienting it towards maximum sustainability, from renovation and quality, without further occupation of territory. In which we must advance towards higher levels of food sovereignty. And in a transition towards renewable energies that should not take any step backwards and that should promote a democratic, decentralized model that promotes self-consumption.

I also believe that it is essential to return to territorial planning versus the urban planning of projects promoted by the land law. Avoiding the intensive and irrational consumption of land, which cause developmental policies with significant responsibility in the demographic growth of recent decades.

 

Elections

Finally, before the European elections next June, NC-bc intends to participate in these together with progress options from other nationalities and regions with which we maintain numerous coincidences. Elections in which one of the challenges is to curb the rise of the extreme right in the European Union, due to the risk it poses to democracy and social rights.

There are, as can be seen, numerous and relevant challenges. In the economic plane. In overcoming inequalities. In the consolidation of public services. In improving care for people and, also, those corresponding to the territory and the environment. In sustainable mobility. In equality between women and men. In solving the serious housing problem. In the development of self-government. In combating the anti-democratic ideas and practices of the extreme right. And, also, in the expansion of the social, political and electoral space of progressive canarismo.

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