Lola García and CCOO warn of war's impact on the island economy

The president of the Fuerteventura Cabildo and the Canary Islands Federation of Islands (FECAI), Lola García, held a meeting with representatives of CCOO Canarias to discuss island‑wide and regional demands, focusing especially on the possible effects of armed conflicts and international instability on the islands’ economy.

The participants were:

• Vanesa Frahija, General Secretary of CCOO Canarias
• José Ramón Barroso, Secretary of Institutional Participation and Social Movements
• Gabriel Rodríguez, General Secretary of the Union Island of the trade union

In a press release, the Cabildo of Fuerteventura noted that García and the union leaders agreed on the need to study the negative consequences that the current international context could have on the quality of life of Canary residents.

Both sides warned that inflation in costs such as transport, energy and raw materials could hit the archipelago’s economy hard. They also expressed concern about a possible rise in European interest rates, which would especially affect a peripheral region like the Canary Islands that is highly dependent on external markets.

During the meeting, CCOO also presented García with a proposal to strengthen institutional and citizen participation on the islands by creating island councils in areas such as seniors, housing and equality. These bodies would bring together cabildos, unions, community groups and companies from various sectors. García pledged to forward these proposals to the other cabildos at the upcoming FECAI General Assembly.

The discussion also covered priority issues for Fuerteventura, including improving housing access, increasing social‑healthcare places, and enhancing mobility.

“Issues that occupy the Cabildo’s agenda as a priority, through investment and planning to improve the situation in these and other areas,” García said.

CCOO Canarias also praised the projects being developed by the Cabildo’s Technology Park, which aim to diversify the island’s economy, foster innovation and create new opportunities. The union considers that this focus on alternative strategic sectors should be reinforced throughout the archipelago.