RIU sues Ecological Transition senior officials for lying

Owners of both institutions understand this Defendants acted with “malicious intent”So much so that it appears that an alleged crime of lying may have been committed through “clear cruelty and incompatible with the unified rights and administrative permissions granted”.

After analyzing the facts and documents provided by the hotel chain, the judicial body emphasizes that “all the elements are present that, when properly confirmed by legally provided means, could constitute the crime reported.” Based on this, the court decided to proceed with the complaint due to the stated actions of senior officials regarding the files of these two hotels in Fuerteventura. Court request the job authorization file now Renovation of the RIU Oliva Beach complex and concession files for both hotels.

This action by the RIU represents a new chapter in the symbolic organization’s years-long battle with the Ministry of Ecological Transition. Contrary to the opinion of the regional government, Costas has been reluctant since 2021 to extend the concession that allows hotels to be located where they are. Moreover, the previous regional administration allowed the renovation of Oliva Beach last May, which caused tension between the two administrations. Although the renovation does not imply an increase in the volume, height or surface area of ​​existing buildings in the area, the public space on which the tourist facility is based cannot be changed.

Suspended authorization

The issue escalated to the point last Tuesday when the Supreme Court of Justice of the Canary Islands (TSJC) temporarily suspended the authority given by the regional government to the hotel chain to renovate hotels and apartments. The regional government argues that the permission was given after the first day of this year, in accordance with the Statute of Autonomy of the Canary Islands, approved in 2018, and that the Archipelago received authority over the Coasts. Therefore, the legal services of the regional Administration are preparing a judicial response, which in principle includes filing an appeal for reconsideration. A response that opposition parties such as PSOE have also demanded.

And it is not only the RIU that condemns the “persecution”. Some parties, such as the PP in the La Oliva City Council, also think that the Ministry is displaying a persecutory attitude towards the Oliva Beach and Tres Islas hotels with the decisions it has taken.

Approval of the reform is not the only issue creating tension between Madrid and the Canary Islands. Since last July, the Ministry of Public Works, Housing and Mobility of the Government of the Canary Islands, through the Directorate General for Coasts and Marine Area Management of the Canary Islands, has agreed to take part in the procedure initiated by the Ministry. License for Oliva Beach hotel and apartments. In this case, the regional Administration also aims to defend. your. It will include a document in the open procedure, recognizing that the powers delegated to the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands in matters of coastal planning and management give authority to the Canary Islands in matters of concession.

In the midst of all these conflicts, there are those who support both sides. While some environmental groups in Majorero defended the Madrid thesis, nearly 400 workers in Oliva Beach organized various mobilizations due to the threat of finding themselves on the streets. RIU has been operating in the Canary Islands since 1985 and currently has 16 hotels in the Archipelago; four of them are located in Fuerteventura.

To put an end to these disagreements and tensions between administrations, the Canary Islands Government has set itself a clear goal: to obtain the full authority of Costas. Today, the State reserves a number of powers that are not delegated to the society, such as the function of issuing mandatory reports on securing both the physical integrity and use of the sea-land public space. To continue working on this issue, a meeting is planned for tomorrow in Madrid between the Ministry of the Region team led by Pablo Rodríguez and the Ministry.