Tenerife PSOE Slams Budget: No New Social Spaces, Environment Cuts Despite Fuel Tax

Tenerife's Socialist Party (PSOE) is criticizing the island government's proposed budget for 2026. While the government calls it the "most social budget ever," PSOE spokesperson Aarón Afonso points out that it doesn't create any new social or healthcare spaces. Afonso said the party is still reviewing the budget and hasn't decided if they will propose major changes.

Afonso highlighted several concerns. He noted that any growth in social and healthcare spending would only cover rising costs, not add new services. This means "not a single additional bed" will be available for the elderly or people with disabilities in 2026. He also mentioned that a crucial agreement for dependency care, due since January 1st, is still missing, and he worries that any future agreement won't lead to expansion.

Afonso also addressed two major public concerns: transport and housing. He stated that the budget for housing, a significant issue for Tenerife residents, makes up less than 1% of the total. While 15 million euros have been announced for housing, the Cabildo's own contribution is only seven million – two million less than last year. He explained that the remaining funds come from the regional government, as the Cabildo is taking over housing projects that the regional government's housing company, Visocan, couldn't manage. Afonso concluded that the Cabildo is also spending less of its own money on housing.

The PSOE also criticized the budget for transport, public transit, and road maintenance, which has been cut by three million euros. At the same time, the Roads department is spending heavily on the Motor Circuit, allocating 13 million euros this year and planning 16 million for next year. Afonso argued that this means the three million euro cut won't go towards improving the island's roads but instead towards the Circuit. He calculated that, when combining the three million euro cut with the three million euro increase for the Circuit, there's a total of six million euros less in the 2026 budget for improving public transport and road infrastructure in Tenerife.

The PSOE also slammed the "forest cent," a new tax on fuel approved by the island government alone, which they've dubbed "Rosa Dávila's cent." Afonso stated that this means Tenerife residents will pay more at the pump. While this tax is expected to raise 4.8 million euros in 2026, the PSOE spokesperson pointed out that the budget for environmental and forestry policies has actually been cut by 2.5 million euros compared to this year. He reminded readers that fuel taxes are specifically meant to protect natural areas like Teide National Park.

Afonso questioned why the government is increasing taxes on fuel for residents who are forced to use their cars to get to essential places like hospitals, schools, and work, simply because there are no good alternatives.

In a separate statement, PSOE Tenerife's General Secretary, Tamara Raya, condemned the Cabildo for cutting the budget for Teide National Park and the wider Natural Environment, while simultaneously introducing a new fuel tax "under the excuse of financing environmental protection." Raya detailed that the Natural Environment budget will drop by 2.45 million euros (3.2%), from 75.42 million in 2025 to 72.97 million in 2026. Investments for reforestation, firefighting, and improving recreational areas will see an even sharper decline of 32%, falling from 32.66 million to 22.27 million euros. The budget for Teide National Park itself will decrease by 2.4%, from 10.09 million to 9.85 million euros, "at a time when it desperately needs more funding due to overcrowding and poor upkeep." Meanwhile, the Cabildo expects to collect 4.8 million euros in 2026 from the new 0.01 euro per liter "forest cent" fuel surcharge.

Tamara Raya argued that the government is "neither protecting Teide nor keeping its promises." She noted that neither the 2025 nor the 2026 budget includes any income from measures previously announced by Cabildo President Rosa Dávila, such as charging for access to Teide or visits to Masca. Raya concluded by rejecting the island government's approach, stating, "They promise good management and sustainability, but their budgets do the exact opposite."

A week ago, the island government council approved the draft budget for 2026. It totals 1.278 billion euros, a 10.3% increase from the current year, making it "the largest in the institution's history." The government claims it aims to improve social care, transport, and address the water crisis.