Parliament Begins Amending Cabildo Law: More Autonomy and Protected Powers

The Parliament of the Canary Islands has accepted the presentation of the Bill to Amend the Law of Island Councils (Ley de Cabildos Insulares), drafted by the Canary Islands Federation of Islands (FECAI). The proposal now moves to the regional chamber for formal processing.

Objectives of the Amendment

• Align the law with the Statute of Autonomy approved in November 2018.
• Reaffirm the autonomy of the island corporations.
• Ensure that competences transferred to the cabildos are exercised fully and permanently, without the risk of being “subrogated or suppressed.”

“They must not give us some competences—whether roads or social services—hand us the management and then, depending on circumstances, come to withdraw them. The cabildos are already sufficiently mature; we have enough autonomy to carry out these competences,” explained Lola García, vice‑president of FECAI.

Streamlining and Transparency

García also emphasized that the amendment seeks to simplify bureaucracy and increase transparency, making the law more effective, more efficient, and closer to citizens.

Legislative Timeline

• The bill now proceeds to the parliamentary groups, where a period for amendments will open.
• If the process runs smoothly, the law could be approved before the next summer.

Vision for the Cabildos

José Miguel Ruano, second vice‑president of the Cabildo of Tenerife and author of the proposal, described the reform as a step toward a “new culture” that recognises cabildos as institutions of the autonomous community. Their competences, transferred by the Government of the Canary Islands and other local entities, will be governed by a legal regime distinct from the traditional local‑government framework—particularly for areas such as environment and road management.