The Canary Islands have formally requested the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to visit the archipelago and assess the pressing migratory situation firsthand. Fernando Clavijo, the President of the Canary Islands, sent this request in a letter, emphasizing the need for immediate and specialized attention from the European Union.
According to Alfonso Cabello, the spokesperson for the Canary Islands government, the archipelago is currently facing the world’s deadliest migratory route, with one death occurring every 45 minutes and over 55,000 arrivals in the past year, including 5,200 unaccompanied minors under government care.
Cabello highlighted the importance of Von der Leyen’s visit, drawing a parallel with her previous visit to Lampedusa, which resulted in the deployment of a targeted migration plan. The Canary Islands, he argued, possess all the conditions necessary to warrant similar special assistance. The letter to Von der Leyen also coincides with critical EU discussions, including the appointment of new European commissioners, the development of the migration and asylum pact, and other important issues like Posei, CO2 tax revisions for planes and ships, and state aid.
Clavijo is set to address the Canary Islands Parliament on 6 September in an extraordinary session, where he will update the assembly on the migration crisis and reaffirm a unified stance on the issue, with the exception of the Vox party. Cabello reiterated the government’s stance that the referral of unaccompanied minors to other regions is the only viable solution, urging the Spanish government to act swiftly and effectively.
The situation has reached a breaking point, with NGOs, security forces, and the broader society overwhelmed by the ongoing crisis. Cabello underscored the need for urgent action, including the approval of a decree law by the Council of Ministers, which should then be validated in Congress with contributions from all political groups. During August, efforts have been made to build political consensus, particularly with the PP, advocating for mechanisms to manage the emergency more effectively and ensure adequate funding.
Cabello stressed that a robust and swift response with broad consensus is crucial, as the implementation of any migration policy heavily depends on the cooperation of autonomous communities, and cannot be imposed unilaterally.
