FECAI Unveils Reform of the Cabildos Law
The Parliament of the Canary Islands received on Tuesday a bill proposal driven by the Canary Islands Federation (FECAI) to amend the Island Cabildos Law. The aim is to strengthen the competential autonomy of the island corporations, simplify procedures, and align the legislation with the 2018 Statute of Autonomy, including a proposal to add La Graciosa to the name of the Cabildo of Lanzarote.
The Cabildos Chamber of the Parliament of the Canary Islands hosted the presentation of the Proposition to Amend the Island Cabildos Law, promoted by FECAI, with the presence of parliamentary spokespersons and representatives from the seven cabildos.
FECAI, currently chaired by the president of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, Lola García, defended the need to adapt the regulation to the current institutional reality and to reinforce cooperation among the islands for a more agile and transparent management.
According to the EFE agency, the document also proposes changing the denomination of the Cabildo of Lanzarote to “Cabildo of Lanzarote and La Graciosa.”
“The reform of the Cabildo Law must guarantee autonomy, efficiency and proximity to citizens, as demanded by our Statute of Autonomy. This Parliament is open to listening and working together with the island corporations to move toward a more agile and transparent model,” emphasized Astrid Pérez, president of the autonomous chamber.
FECAI members highlighted the importance of the cabildos fully exercising the competencies transferred to them under the Statute of Autonomy, advocating for simplified and transparent management that would deliver better public services and greater legal certainty.
Objectives of Reforming the Cabildo Law
The Statute of Autonomy of the Canary Islands, revised by Organic Law 1/2018, defines the role of the cabildos and the Parliament’s authority to regulate their organization and functioning. The current FECAI proposal seeks to:
- Simplify administrative procedures.
- Consolidate transferred competencies.
- Align the island framework with the 2018 statutory reform.
Key focus areas include clarifying competences, reducing bureaucratic burdens, and strengthening inter‑island cooperation.
The reform is anchored in Law 8/2015 of 1 April on Island Cabildos, which governs their organization, powers, and relationship with the Autonomous Community. The law is slated for an update to reflect the current Statute.
Impact and Next Steps
With the initiative now in the hands of the Parliament, the legislative process will proceed through the following stages:
- Qualification – determining the proposal’s admissibility.
- Consideration – formal debate on the bill’s merits.
- Report (Ponencia) – drafting a detailed report.
- Amendment phase – parliamentary groups may modify the text.
If approved, the amendment will be incorporated into Law 8/2015.
Potential challenges revolve around ensuring that, once competencies are expanded, the cabildos possess sufficient human and financial resources and that overlaps between the regional government and the island corporations are avoided.