The counselor of Finance of the Government of the Canary Islands, Matilde Asián, has described this Wednesday as a "good agreement" the new financing model agreed for the islands, which improves the initial proposal of the central Executive by increasing from just over 600 million euros to 1.337 billion additional euros allocated to the archipelago.
Asián made these statements within the framework of a parliamentary commission, in response to a question raised by the socialist deputy Manuel Hernández Cerezo. The parliamentarian highlighted that "dialogue and negotiation" have made possible an understanding that provides the Canary Islands with more resources, greater guarantees, and represents "a shielding" of its uniqueness.
The regional head of Finance insisted that the first proposal from the State for the financing system, which did not contemplate compensation formulas, left the Canary Islands "as the worst-funded autonomous community": "We said that the proposal of 611 million for the Canary Islands in the financing system was unfair. The agreement that has been made outside the Council of Fiscal and Financial Policy, which is to add 726 million more to the 611, is, therefore, a good agreement."
Additionally questioned about the possible rejection by the deputies of the Popular Party in the Congress of Deputies when the agreement reaches the Lower House, following a question from deputy Esther González (NC) —who expressed her bewilderment at the "absence" of the counselor in the last Council of Fiscal and Financial Policy—, Asián reiterated her "strong" support for the new financing scheme, which incorporates an extra 726 million euros.
"If the 1.337 billion are taken to Congress, there will be no Canarians, neither from the Popular Party, nor from Coalición Canaria, nor from the Socialist Party, who say no. To that, a resounding yes. It is what the president of the Canary Government has achieved," the counselor emphasized. At the same time, she acknowledged the work carried out by the autonomous Executive, led by Fernando Clavijo, to close a "good agreement" for the islands, although she expressed her reservations about the way it will finally reach Congress.