Clavijo finalizes the Canary Decree and seeks PSOE backing in Congress

The Government Council of the Canary Islands approved on Monday the proposal known as the “Decreto Canarias.” The text will now be sent to the Parliament as a communication to gather input from the parliamentary groups.

In a press conference, President Fernando Clavijo emphasized that the decree aims to guarantee the “progress” of the islands in an “uncertain” context, to update the 2023 PGE (General State Budget) items, and to fulfil the commitments of the “Canary agenda.”

“They have the document and the votes,” he asserted, stressing that the measure should be approved comfortably in Parliament.

Clavijo noted that the content was endorsed by the PSOE and the PP at the start of the legislative term, and he believes the socialists are now looking for “excuses” not to support it. He added that the decree was “proactively” prepared since August of last year, when he negotiated the roadmap with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez amid the central government’s parliamentary fragility. According to Clavijo, the document “does not go against anyone; it is in favour of the Canary Islands.”

When confronted with criticism from Canarian socialists, the president asked, “Which article is not in the Canary agenda, the Statute of Autonomy, or the 2023 PGE?” He dismissed their demand to approve a “Canary competencies decree” as “childish.”

He highlighted that his administration is already governing with three approved budgets, something the national government has not yet achieved, and called for unity to face negotiations with the State and prevent a “toxic atmosphere” from the Cortes Generales from reaching the archipelago.

“If we show unity, the Canary Islands will triumph; if the decree is not tested, the ones punished will be the Canary Islands and the most vulnerable.”

Clavijo indicated that the decree still awaits contributions from the island councils, if any, and from the Advisory Council, with which he will meet on Tuesday. He also announced that by the end of the month he will request a meeting with Finance Minister María Jesús Montero to open negotiations.

He described the text as “serious, rigorous and solvent,” intended to “fulfil” the agreements reached with the central government, warning that a failure to approve it would mean the government does not want to honour what was signed.

The decree is organized into four chapters comprising a total of 50 measures and several additional provisions.

Main Highlights

• Economic commitments from the “Canary agenda,” including:

  • €45 million for an employment plan
  • €42 million for educational infrastructure
  • Free public transport, easing household expenses and improving mobility

• Specific aid for La Palma:

  • Request to reinstate a 60 % IRPF (income tax) reduction, applied monthly
  • Annual €100 payment for reconstruction

More Funds for Dependency and Housing

The second chapter has a strong social focus, proposing:

• Administration of the Minimum Vital Income by Canary authorities
• An autonomous supplement to non‑contributory pensions
• €120 million annually for dependency care (the State contributes 22 % of the funds, the region 50 %)
• €105 million for housing construction

In the labour sector, the decree suggests:

• A 2 % wage increase for public employees earning below 150 % of the national minimum wage
• A social security contribution bonus for private companies that raise wages above collective agreements

The final two chapters address:

• State compensations for the archipelago’s remoteness, including an additional POSEI payment
• Updates to the road concession framework

Additional provisions cover:

• Funding for Canary Police positions
• Development of the railway concession
• Participation in decision‑making regarding Spain’s relations with Morocco.