The president of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, has adjusted his tone after meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez. He has shifted his criticism from the government to the People’s Party (PP) for breaking off negotiations on the distribution of 6,000 immigrant minors across Spain and for avoiding discussions on immigration in the Congress session. Clavijo has criticized both major parties but has been particularly harsh on the PP, with whom he governs in the Canary Islands. Despite this, he has stated that the government of the Canary Islands remains intact and he is open to discussions with the PP to resolve the issue. The Court of Justice of the Canary Islands upheld the suspension of the government agreement on September 2nd, maintaining pressure on all parties involved.
Clavijo has expressed confusion over the PP’s decision to end negotiations and has emphasized the importance of dialogue in resolving issues. He has called on Sánchez to take action on the matter, regardless of the PP’s stance. Clavijo left the meeting at La Moncloa with a promise of 50 million euros for the migrant crisis and a commitment to further discussions with the Minister of Finance regarding additional funding and the 2025 budget. The negotiation process between Sánchez and Clavijo continues, with the hope that the PP will return to the table to reach a comprehensive agreement.
While Clavijo is open to the government’s proposal for distributing immigrants based on population criteria, the PP remains outside the negotiation process for now. Clavijo plans to persuade Feijóo to rejoin the discussions and believes that an agreement is attainable with the government. Despite the differences with the PP, Clavijo remains committed to finding common ground and resolving the migrant crisis. The government is hopeful that Clavijo’s efforts will convince the PP to reengage in the dialogue for a mutually beneficial solution.
On a parallel front, Génova, the PP headquarters, maintains a maximalist position and seeks to revive the agreement between Feijóo and Clavijo from September 10th. This agreement included demands from the PP for a legislative change to mandate the distribution of migrant minors, along with broader issues such as Spanish deployment in countries of origin. While the PP insists that all conditions must be met for a deal, sources from the Canary Islands presidency suggest that negotiations primarily focus on the mandatory distribution of migrant minors. This approach aligns with the stance of the PP in the Canary Islands, with whom Clavijo shares governance responsibilities.
In conclusion, Clavijo’s recent meeting with Sánchez marked a shift in his approach towards addressing the migrant crisis in the Canary Islands. Despite facing challenges with the PP’s withdrawal from negotiations, Clavijo remains optimistic about finding a resolution with the government. The focus remains on engaging the PP in discussions to reach a comprehensive agreement that addresses the needs of migrant minors while balancing broader concerns related to immigration policies. The path forward involves continued dialogue and negotiation to ensure a coordinated and effective response to the migrant crisis in the Canary Islands.
