Lights and shadows of the debate
President of the Cabildo of La Gomera and spokesperson for ASG in the Parliament of the Canary Islands
Casimiro Curbelo
I have followed, like many Spaniards, the debate in the Congress of Deputies on the State of the Spanish Nation. And I have done it out of concern for the situation we are suffering and with the hope of knowing what consensus could be reached to take extraordinary measures for extraordinary circumstances.
The true measure of political responsibility can be measured in the society of a country that when faced with adversity is able to unite in solidarity in a collective effort. The European Union faces terrifying inflation and an unprecedented energy crisis, blackmail by President Putin and the devastating effects of the war in Ukraine. These should be the moments in which ideological confrontation must give way to what is called State responsibility.
I don't perceive it to be like that. This week I have seen a Government that, with more or less success, is fighting almost alone against the impoverishment of our country. A Government that has launched a social aid package for more than fifteen billion euros. Who has decided to increase the smallest pensions to try to alleviate the lives of the weakest. That maintains its intention to raise pensions to the average of this year's CPI. And that it is committed to the groups that are suffering the greatest extent from the inflationary effects.
What worries me much more is that in the political debate with the opposition ideology has had more weight than economics. It seems to me that very little attention is being paid to the warning signs that threaten our immediate future. This week, the European Commission has lowered the growth forecasts for Spain by 1.3 points for the year 2023. The crisis situation we are facing and the imminent increase in interest rates by the European Central Bank will translate into a much tougher year than expected, according to experts. And all this could get worse, with unforeseen consequences, if the temporary closure of gas supplies to European countries becomes permanent this winter.
In this panorama and speaking of the Canary Islands, it is difficult not to worry even more than we already are. Because the tourist flow could be affected if the large economies of the euro zone suffer a collapse. I don't know if our islands are going to be able to withstand another economic blow like the last one, from which we are still recovering. There are thousands of small and medium-sized businesses and self-employed workers who have barely survived in recent years, fighting tooth and nail to not close, and I highly doubt they can survive another calamity.
In the State Debate, I have missed more policies and solutions adapted to the conditions of an archipelago located one thousand five hundred kilometers from the coasts of the European continent. It is something so evident that even the European Union has established it in the Treaty of Lisbon, which determines how European policies work.
Continental Spain is not insular Spain. The medicines used to treat certain pathologies are sometimes not suitable for treating other pathologies. We have learned that work is being done to apply measures to transport in the Canary Islands similar to those proposed for the peninsular territory. But it was after seeing the commotion on the islands that they clarified the latter. Because to my surprise, we were even excluded, initially, from aid for mobility and public transportation.
The Government of Spain must meet the expectations of allowing the presence of representatives of the Government of the Canary Islands in the bilateral negotiations between Spain and Morocco. Discussing the waters and seabed near our islands while vetoing the presence of the Canary Islands is a serious political error. Because it means not letting us participate in the knowledge of our own future.
