Tenerife Cabildo Gives Initial Approval to €1.15 Billion 2026 Budget

Tenerife's island council, the Cabildo, has given its initial approval to the 2026 budget. The government coalition (CC-PP) voted in favour, while Vox abstained, and the PSOE voted against it. The PSOE had proposed a full amendment to the budget, but it was rejected.

However, the council did approve five of the 152 smaller amendments put forward by the PSOE, and four of the 15 proposed by Vox.

The Cabildo's budget for next year totals €1.149 billion, an 8.8% increase from 2025. When including the Cabildo and its associated bodies, the total consolidated budget rises to €1.278 billion, which is a 10.3% increase.

Island president Rosa Dávila described the budget as "ambitious, balanced, and designed to solve the problems of Tenerife's residents and the main challenges facing our Island." She also thanked the opposition for their "manners and willingness to dialogue" and praised their efforts in presenting proposals, as well as the government's work to improve the budget through these amendments.

Juan Carlos Pérez Frías, the island's director of Finance, explained the details, stating the budget was prepared with a focus on "efficiency, social solidarity, and territorial balance." He also confirmed that no new loans are planned.

He highlighted that the budget "continues existing investments," allocating nearly €476 million across the Cabildo, its related entities, and an agreement with Acuaes. It also "strengthens social spending like never before," with €417 million. Mobility is a key focus, receiving €256 million, along with the environment and primary sector, which get €202 million.

From the opposition, Vox spokesperson Ana Salazar criticized that "investments are not changing the reality of the Island." She pointed out that "mobility remains gridlocked, access to housing is still critical, and healthcare waiting lists aren't shrinking." She argued that "Tenerife doesn't need grand headlines but efficient management," and defended Vox's fifteen amendments as "achievable and necessary."

Meanwhile, PSOE spokesperson Aarón Afonso claimed the budget has "significant flaws" and is "very far from the daily social and economic reality for people in Tenerife." He stated that "not a single home will be built with this budget in 2026," and it also "reduces funds for mobility and roads, doesn't address traffic queues, and creates no new residential places for the elderly or people with disabilities."

Afonso also criticized the reduced funding for the Natural Environment, despite a new forest tax, while "two million more are allocated for advertising, propaganda, and advisor salary increases."

The island's director of Finance responded to the PSOE, calling their analysis "demagogic." He emphasized that Social Action will support new projects that will create "nearly 950 socio-health places" over the next three to four years.

Regarding the Natural Environment budget, he clarified that the area has €10 million less in European funds for 2026. To compensate, the Cabildo has made an "effort" to budget an additional €8.2 million, which includes the €4.8 million expected from the forest tax.

PP spokesperson and island vice-president, Lope Afonso, stressed that the budget addresses "the main priorities of citizens." He also reminded the PSOE of unfulfilled promises from their previous terms in both the Cabildo and the Canary Islands Government.

Afonso defended the current island government's housing policy, announcing that "we will make available up to one thousand accommodation resources," while the PSOE "did nothing." He also criticized the socialists for proposing 152 amendments worth €140 million without suggesting corresponding budget cuts.

CC spokesperson and second vice-president, José Miguel Ruano, highlighted the "stability" of the island government in moving forward with a budget that is "progressive, balanced, and will give us the capacity to continue." He praised efforts in housing construction and mobility, including train projects and bus purchases, announcing that "when we launch the Teide PRUG, we will have 14 buses for the internal circuit of the national park."

Among the partial amendments approved for the opposition, the four from Vox supported by the government include €150,000 for rehabilitating a section of the TF-1 highway, €200,000 to boost the industrial sector, €200,000 to develop the Granadilla industrial estate, and €100,000 to strengthen the foreign training scholarship program.

The five PSOE amendments approved unanimously include €300,000 for eradicating the American termite, a subsidy for residents staying overnight at the Altavista refuge, an improved compensation of €118,927 to Arico for the Environmental Complex, another €150,000 for the Ravelo animal shelter, and €50,000 for a project to study and highlight female artists from Tenerife throughout history.

Additionally, the budget already included 12 amendments proposed by the CC-PP, covering actions such as over €900,000 for various natural environment projects, €322,329 for improving sanitation networks, €200,000 to create the Island Mobility Center, and €100,000 to restore the surroundings of the Sanctuary of Cristo de La Laguna, among others.