Lola García Steps Down as President of the Canary Islands Federation of Island Councils
Lola García, President of the Fuerteventura Cabildo, has wrapped up her tenure as President of the Canary Islands Federation of Island Councils (FECAI) after months of collaboration on key issues facing the archipelago.
During her time in office, García focused on shared challenges across the islands, particularly demographic growth. She noted, “Population increase puts unprecedented pressure on housing, water, mobility, and public services. We must contain this growth to effectively plan and guarantee essential services for current residents.”
García also highlighted the importance of addressing the unique challenges faced by individual territories. FECAI has supported a new Cabildos Law, which aims to modernise legal frameworks and enable better management in critical areas like social welfare and protected natural spaces.
In addition, García’s team contributed forty proposals to the regional government’s Canarias Decree, agreed upon after extensive discussions and ratified at the recent FECAI General Assembly in Fuerteventura. These proposals focused on urgent issues such as the costs associated with peripheral regions, economic diversification, and the planned dismantling of the El Charco power station. FECAI urged for measures specifically benefiting Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.
Amid a complex international geopolitical crisis, FECAI called for the suspension of spending rules to equip island councils with the necessary tools to fulfil their roles, allowing them to use treasury surpluses without restrictions. García stressed the significance of this for a peripheral area like the Canaries.
The organisation also addressed concerns such as air traffic control quality at Canarian airports and opposition to restrictive EU regulations affecting traditional sustainable activities like artisanal fishing.
García advocated for increased opportunities for Canarian youth, urging the government to modify the Summer Youth programme to ensure equal access for young people in the archipelago. She requested additional support to offset travel costs to the mainland and compatibility with existing resident discounts.
As García hands over the presidency to Antonio Morales, President of the Gran Canaria Cabildo, she expressed confidence that they will continue to work on issues that matter to the local community.
