Corruption

[fifi]

University study
Corruption in the Canaries
Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely, or so it is said, but it would seem that it also increases exponentially the further you are from the Spanish peninsula, in the case of the Balearics and the Canaries.

A study just published by professors from the University of La Laguna's Geography department, trying to measure the level of urban corruption covering the period 2000 – 2010, puts the Islands in shameful second place for urban corruption. The 'winner', as it were, is Murcia with 57.8 per cent of its boroughs affected by some case of corruption, the Canaries comes in second with 35 boroughs affected, some 39.8 per cent, and the Balearics at 35.8 per cent. Overall 26.3 million people in Spain had their lives affected by corruption during this period, 56.1 per cent of the population and 843,000 of them were in the Canaries. If the national average is eight per cent, this figure is quadrupled in the case of the Canaries and the Balearics. The professors say whilst some of they infractions may not always be urban corruption in the strictest sense, "they certainly look like it". A third of the cases are in boroughs on the coast where rezoning for tourism enterprises would seem to be fundamental, but it is also noticeable that 78 per cent of the provincial capitals have been drawn in. And the popular claim that all politicians are the same would seem to be borne out, at least where corruption is concerned, as the conservative Popular Party seems to be involved in 44 per cent of the cases, the socialist PSOE in 31.2 per cent and the remaining 24.8 per cent are divided between regional nationalist parties. The worrying thing is that those who are caught may only be the tip of the iceberg!

[waggy]

It happens here too, Fifi.  Anglesey county council have just come off 'special measures', i.e. The Senedd (Welsh Parliament) sent in an interim administration to run the place until they could bring to book all the corrupt councillors. It took them about 5 years and a few prosecutions and sackings. We're all watching, now they're back, to see what fun develops in the county offices.

[fifi]

It seems to be happening everywhere Waggy. Can we really trust anyone any more?

[Spike On Q]

Latest on The Ajuy Caves Affair - The Mayor of Pajara has come out on the side of the company charging for entrance, justify the charge - there's a thing!

[fifi]

It is a shame that the caves at Ajuy are starting to charge people for admission Paul but I was wondering are the caves any different from the likes of the Mirador del Rio in Lanzarote where you have to pay also to view the sights?

[woe10]

Latest on The Ajuy Caves Affair - The Mayor of Pajara has come out on the side of the company charging for entrance, justify the charge - there's a thing!

No doubt, the company belongs to the Mayor's Brother 

[Spike On Q]

Never been there Fi so can't comment - I suppose you could also compare them with the likes of Cheddar caves in the UK

The difference is that we've walked along the cliff top in Ajuy with the dogs so many times, have our annual November 11th virgil there, etc. The cave are nothing special but the views from the cliff path are so spectacular and quite aw-inspiring.

The area is a National Monument - it should remain available to everyone without charge