Granadilla de Abona Approves €67.5 Million 2026 Budget Amid Opposition Criticism

The Granadilla de Abona City Council has officially passed its 2026 budget. The proposal was approved by the governing coalition—made up of CC, PP, and Vox—despite opposition from the PSOE and an independent councilor. Vox spokesperson José Sanabria acknowledged that the late approval creates logistical challenges for the remainder of the year, noting the difficulty of managing a municipality that has now grown to over 70,000 residents.

The 67.5 million euro budget marks a 2.02% increase from last year. The local government says the plan prioritizes a "social shield," dedicating 41.3 million euros—or 61.26% of the total—to social services. This represents a 14.07% increase in social spending, covering improvements to care centers like CADI, Virgen del Pino, and Guaidyl, as well as 1.2 million euros for food aid. Additionally, 515,000 euros have been set aside for urban transport, a service that has been hampered by the delay in passing these accounts.

The PSOE criticized the budget, with spokesperson Jennifer Miranda arguing that it lacks clear political vision and relies heavily on projects started by the previous administration. The opposition specifically questioned the 2.5 million euros allocated to festivals and culture, the decision to double projected revenue from sanitation fees to 1.2 million euros, and the 700,000 euros earmarked for public works, which they labeled as insufficient.

Mayor José Domingo Regalado defended the budget, emphasizing that it is legally sound and that the council remains debt-free while meeting financial stability requirements. Finance Councilor Rubén García added that the budget is a prudent response to the needs of a growing population. The debate grew heated as the Mayor accused the PSOE of trying to block the process through legal appeals, while the PP reaffirmed its support for the coalition’s financial plan.