Canary Islands Parliament Passes Spain's First Volcano Law
The new law aims to make the response to affected people faster
The plenary session of the Parliament of the Canary Islands approved on Wednesday the first volcano law in Spain, with the consensus of all parliamentary groups. It originated as a Popular Legislative Initiative that entered the regional chamber with the support of more than 18,000 signatures.
The law seeks to give authorities greater agility in responding to those affected, allowing the reconstruction of homes lost in the eruption zone—or the nearest one—to proceed quickly. It introduces retroactive effect, safeguarding economic and social rights, guaranteeing compensation at market value for lost assets, and ensuring decent housing for those who have lost theirs.
“The new law emanates from the people,” said Raúl Acosta (Mixed Group, AHI). “Since eruptions will happen yes or yes in the islands, the law adapts to reality and the impact on assets and economic activities.”
He added that the norm “is very complex” because La Palma has shown that it has been “learning as we go,” and he believes the groups have been “up to the task” of what the law’s promoters demanded. “We will have a roadmap,” he concluded.
Jesús Ramos (ASG) praised the citizen initiative from La Palma that drove the law’s drafting, noting its future vision and legal certainty. By moving beyond the “tangle” of decree‑laws, the legislation allows people to continue with their lives. “It is a norm that will make us more resilient,” he said.
Javier Nieto (Vox) recognized the courage of all those affected and argued that new law “steps over the mistakes of public administrations,” despite ongoing unresolved issues such as “trips to La Palma.”
“The wounds are still unhealed,” he emphasized, adding that the law “is not a panacea and will not solve everything,” citing insurance management—outside parliamentary competence—as an example.
Luis Campos, spokesperson for NC‑bc, highlighted the initiative of La Palma’s residents in leading the popular initiative and the approval of several decree‑laws in the previous legislature.
“It’s not true that nothing was done; a lot was done. Now it’s true, but insufficient, yes. Perhaps slower than appropriate, also, and that’s why this norm is needed to learn from all the errors.”
He warned that a new eruption is a “Damocles sword” over the archipelago and stressed that the law looks forward, not merely to solve the ‘Tajogaite’ case. He sarcastically lamented the absence of an article on the “partisan use” of an eruption.
PP: A Norm for All Canary Islanders
Raquel Díaz (PP) valued that the law transcends ideologies and partisanship, describing it as a norm for all Canary Islanders on the fourth anniversary of the ‘Tajogaite’ eruption.
“That day we faced an unforeseen situation, arriving without a manual, changing by the hour, and testing all teams—especially emergency services—but it ended without victims and became a clear example of public management and human‑institutional solidarity.”
She highlighted the handling of the 85‑day “nightmare” and noted that the pioneering national law now “belongs to no one and to everyone.”
Jonathan de Felipe (CC) recalled the solidarity shown in La Palma when the eruption began without any legal framework to protect residents. He praised the empathy of the law’s promoters for “gift‑ing” a norm to all Canary Islanders and called on all parties to assume joint responsibility for rebuilding La Palma.
PSOE Perspective
Alicia Vanoostende (PSOE) warned that the law might raise too many expectations, yet it protects the Canary Islands from future eruptions. She did not overlook the current plight of La Palma’s farmers and livestock breeders, who have received undignified treatment.
“I do not understand the criticism of the central government, which has committed to financing reconstruction,” she said, criticizing the Canary Government and the La Palma council for not advancing funds and questioning how aid has been distributed. “Why don’t they publish the lists?”
She added that the island has been covered by silence two years after the elections, and the response of the Canary Government and the council “is not up to the mark” because “much was promised, and there is no worse deception than that made to vulnerable people.”
“Stop using a people’s pain for politics,” she concluded.