Tenerife: PSOE opposes the "forest tax" and demands an ecotax for tourists

Yesterday in Tenerife, the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party) gathered mayors, female leaders, and representatives of socialist groups from 31 municipalities on the island. They were joined by members of the Socialist Group in the Island Council (Cabildo) and the Island Executive Committee. The meeting was led by General Secretary Tamara Raya. They discussed how they would coordinate political initiatives before the start of the new political season.

At the meeting, representatives of local authorities signed a joint statement. They oppose the introduction of a "forest tax" in Tenerife – a surcharge on every liter of gasoline and diesel fuel. This initiative was put forward by the Canarian Coalition and the People's Party in the Cabildo, the party reported.

The statement said that the "forest tax" is bad because it is "unfair and hits the pockets of those with the least money." Therefore, they call on the Cabildo to abolish it and replace it with "fair and progressive environmental taxation." That is, to improve public transport and support workers, entrepreneurs, young people, carriers, and farmers. And also, to introduce a tourist eco-tax, which will be paid by tourists, not locals.

"The PSOE in Tenerife has already submitted an amendment against the "forest tax" at the Cabildo meeting. And we will also submit this proposal at meetings in all 31 municipalities on the island," said Tamara Raya.

The socialist leader stressed that "the people of Tenerife cannot be forced to pay for the consequences of tourism." She emphasized that this tax "falls on the shoulders of ordinary families, while tourists still do not contribute through an eco-tax."

In addition, the PSOE in Tenerife discussed other important issues. For example, where the National Volcanology Center should be located. The socialists believe that it should be in Tenerife, "because there is the greatest risk of eruptions, there is modern research thanks to Involcan, and decades of public investment."

Tamara Raya stressed that "it is logical that the head office should be in Tenerife. And the President of the Cabildo is weakening the island's position by giving in to the interests of his party, offering an unrealistic option with two headquarters." She added that "the location of the center in the Canary Islands has been guaranteed by the government since 2022. And this is a center for volcano research, not for anything else."

On the other hand, mayors and socialist representatives, especially from those areas most affected by volcanic hazards, "complained about the lack of information and coordination from the Cabildo." This was stated by the Socialist Party after a recent meeting between representatives of the island and municipalities, as well as training exercises to be held in the coming days.

The socialists also called on the government of the Canary Islands and the Cabildo to pay more attention to problems such as addiction, waste dumping, and phylloxera (a disease of grapes). They recalled that the current island authorities have not used more than 365 million euros in two years, including 27 million for environmental projects.

Tamara Raya also criticized the fact that "the Canarian Coalition and Rosa Dávila promised to end the queues in 90 days. We have been waiting for almost 900 days, and no new construction has started in Tenerife, while everything is being built in Gran Canaria and La Gomera. This benefits the Canarian Coalition, and the worst thing is that the President of the island cannot contradict the advisor from his own party to protect the interests of Tenerife."

The General Secretary also warned that "none of the housing promised by the Cabildo has been built. The residents of Tenerife are forced to live further and further away from work, which makes life difficult for thousands of families."