Recently, we are witnessing a debate in the published opinion about what the attributions of our former presidents of the Government of the Canary Islands should be and, more incisively, about whether or not they should have financial compensation from public funds.
A debate, however, that has quickly been contaminated by media and political partisanship, and that far from providing reflection or information, is only serving to fuel noise and confusion.
I think I am not exaggerating if I say that there are many of us who would like to hear more serene and objective analyses on an issue that in other communities such as Galicia, Catalonia or Euskadi has long been resolved. Especially when these opinions come from our public representatives, who are supposed to have a sense of responsibility and rigor as much or more than the average.
Allegations such as the one heard this week from the leader of the Popular Party of the Canary Islands, Manuel Domínguez, in Parliament, are inadmissible and intolerable. In his eagerness to be noticed, Mr. Domínguez did not hesitate to resort to lies and bad style, going so far as to accuse President Ángel Víctor Torres of things he has never said, such as wanting lifetime salaries for former presidents.
Domínguez had the opportunity to rectify and apologize, but he decided not to, which makes his behavior even more base. A major and lasting disappointment, unworthy of someone who presents himself as a public servant and aspiring to represent the interests of all Canarians, whether they have voted for him or not.
A serious debate involves, first of all, not taking people for fools and being scrupulous in the account of the facts. And the first thing to say about this rule that speaks of salaries and excellent treatment for former presidents of the Canary Islands, among other benefits, is that it is neither from yesterday nor the day before yesterday, but from the year 2000, with the Canarian Coalition and the Popular Party at the head of the Government of the Canary Islands. And that it was through an amendment to the main text of 1983 on measures for the organization of the Government of the Canary Islands, promoted by the Parliamentary Group of the Canarian Coalition, which since then enables the possibility of having financial compensation for our former presidents.
The socialists did not agree with this article and we expressed this in the vote on amendments, as can be seen in the minutes of that plenary session (June 28, year 2000). But the government, with its majority, rejected such suppression, agreeing therefore the final approval.
22 years have passed and it has been the current Government, presided over by a socialist president, that has decided to face the revision of these and other precepts and with it, in passing, to adapt the regime, the organization and the functioning of the Presidency and the Government to what is established in the last reform of the Statute of Autonomy of the Canary Islands of 2018. The new text eliminates any mention of remuneration, so it is less explicit in this sense than the Law still in force.
Its processing is being developed through the draft Law of the Presidency and the Government of the Canary Islands, and a few weeks ago it was approved in the Governing Council, as a preliminary step to its vote in Parliament.
It will be there, and not in any isolated office, where all parties must pronounce and agree on the role that our regional former presidents should have, including whether they deserve a salary and the amount of it.
On behalf of the socialists of the Canary Islands, the general secretary Ángel Víctor Torres has been clear: no to lifetime salaries and open door to a remuneration for former presidents as long as it is in exchange for a service to the community based on their knowledge and experience.
No more malicious misrepresentation. The Canary Islands also need an opposition that is up to the great debates and decisions. That does not use lies as a weapon, but is respectful of the truth and the general interest. Useful politics is always the way.
Nira Fierro is the Secretary of Organization of the PSOE Canarias, regional deputy and president of the Socialist Parliamentary Group.
