Canary Islands Court Orders Regional Government to Release €3.1 Million to El Rosario

The High Court of Justice of the Canary Islands (TSJC) has issued a significant ruling regarding the responsibility of public authorities to follow through on their budgets. The court ruled in favor of the El Rosario City Council, ordering the regional Ministry of Ecological Transition to release 3.1 million euros that were set aside in the 2023 budget for local urban improvements.

The dispute began after the City Council appealed to the court last March, arguing that the regional government had failed to turn budgetary promises into actual funding. The court has now ordered the regional government to pay the full amount, plus interest dating back to September 2023, when the council first formally requested the funds.

In its decision, the TSJC stated that the Ministry’s failure to act went against the principles of good governance. The court emphasized that once a project is included in the budget, the administration is legally required to carry it out. Failing to do so creates an administrative irregularity. In addition to the funds and interest, the court ordered the Canary Islands Government to cover the legal costs, though this decision can still be appealed.

The funding is a key part of an urban renewal strategy launched by El Rosario in 2022. The project aims to better integrate the Adelantado laurel forest into the town of La Esperanza by improving accessibility and prioritizing pedestrians in the historic center. Following previous upgrades to streets like El Calvario and Antonio González, this court ruling clears the way for the council to complete a project they view as essential for preserving the town's natural and urban heritage.