Mayor in Tenerife Combines Role with Parliament Seat, Offering Unique Political Insight, dixit Francisco Linares.
For the past year and a half, Francisco Linares has been balancing his role as mayor of La Orotava with a seat in the Parliament of the Canary Islands. This dual responsibility makes him one of the many daily commuters on the northern highway, giving him firsthand experience of the pressing traffic issues. Linares points out that measures implemented by the Cabildo, such as increasing public transportation options, have cut travel times by about 30 minutes.
However, he emphasizes the need for additional actions, such as diversifying work hours. Furthermore, he supports the idea of introducing an eco-tax for non-residents visiting Mount Teide, stating, “Our National Park is one of the few in the world where tourists pay nothing, and that needs to change.”
He also criticizes the fact that a private association representing only 13 municipalities cannot be the entity deciding the fate of Canary Islands municipalities. Instead, this responsibility should lie with the Federation of Canary Islands Municipalities (Fecam).
Here’s what Linares has to say about how he manages these dual roles and his views on key regional issues:
Balancing Two Roles
“I manage it with a lot of planning, enthusiasm, and long working hours. Long days are nothing new for me. I love what I do, and my passion for public service helps me tackle both roles with optimism and energy. I’m satisfied with my work in Parliament and make it my mission to bring citizens’ daily concerns to the forefront.”
Addressing Northern Highway Traffic
“When I commute to Parliament, I experience the same frustrations as everyone else stuck in traffic. That said, there has been some improvement. Public transport use has increased significantly, and additional measures have reduced travel times by about 30 minutes. It’s not enough, but it’s a step in the right direction. Further actions, such as diversifying work hours, could help alleviate congestion even more.”
Should Visitors Pay to Access Teide?
“I fully support the Cabildo’s decision to regulate access to the summit of Mount Teide. Visitors must understand that Teide is no ordinary location. At 3,715 meters, it demands appropriate clothing and equipment for the climb. I also endorse the president of the Cabildo’s proposal to introduce an eco-tax for tourists. Teide is one of the few national parks where visitors pay nothing, and that needs to change. When we travel to other parts of the world, we pay fees without complaint to support the maintenance of those areas. This should also be the case here.”
Solving the Housing Crisis
“I believe the lack of public and private housing construction over the past decade has contributed more to the housing crisis than the purchase of homes by foreigners. Nonetheless, vacation rentals need to be regulated and balanced with the needs of local residents.”
Controlling Population Growth on the Islands
“The demographic challenge is one of the most pressing issues for the coming years. Some islands face unsustainable population growth, while non-capital islands (Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, El Hierro, La Gomera, and La Palma) are experiencing alarming depopulation. We need balanced measures to address this problem.”
Views on New Legislation for Tourist Municipalities
“The future of tourist municipalities should be coordinated through Fecam, the legally recognized representative body of Canary Islands municipalities. A private association of only 13 municipalities cannot dictate the fate of all 88 municipalities in the archipelago. Fecam has already expressed opposition to this legislation, and the parliamentary process is just beginning. We’ll see how it unfolds.”
Insightful Leadership
As mayor in Tenerife and a parliamentarian in the Canary Islands, Francisco Linares brings a valuable perspective to the urgent needs of the island and its people. From traffic congestion to sustainable tourism, his dual roles provide a unique vantage point to address the region’s challenges.
Ayuntamiento de La Orotava © Photography
Mayor in Tenerife ©
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