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12 | Gazette Life | August 2025GAZETTE | NEWS%u201cTWO YEARS IS HARDLY ANY TIME AT ALL%u201dAt 41 years of age, Yonathan de Le%u00f3n is the youngest ever Mayor of Lanzarote's capital and most populous council district, Arrecife.De Le%u00f3n took on the most important job in the capital in 2023, after two of his colleagues in Popular Party stepped aside to occupy other posts. Ruling in what seems to be a stable pact with the Coalici%u00f3n Canaria, he has been perhaps Arrecife's most media-friendly Mayor so far, fully aware of the power of the press and social media. Half-way into his mandate, we took the opportunity to chat to him about cruisers, fiestas and improving the city.What are your impressions after two years at the head of Arrecife's Ayuntameinto?It's gone very fast. I've realised that two years is hardly any time at all, and that we can't do very much even in a full four-year term, but you have to try.Is cruiser traffic important for Arrecife? There are more cruisers scheduled to arrive next season than ever before.Yes. It generates dynamism in local commerce. We're not a famous tourist capital, but we certainly have our attractions, such as Reducto beach, the Charco and the Castillo de San Gabriel, and we saw a 28% increase in cruise visitors last year.Has that been reflected by shops and other businesses?Yes, there are new businesses and franchises. It%u2019s not always easy %u2013 many shops still close in the afternoons or on Sundays, but we'll get there bit by bit. I want to have a city that is attractive to both residents and tourists, a place where you can enjoy shopping and just walking around, like the pleasant atmosphere we get at the weekends with the market. Is the Open Mall important to that?Yes. Last year it won an award as the best shopping centre in Spain and it's going to be extended shortly. We still plan to carry out the plan to create a tree-lined eco-boulevard leading from the centre of Arrecife all the way up to the mall, and this Intervie Yonathan de Le%u00f3n, Mayor of Arrecife.Your award-winning, family-run business.The advisers at Logic Financial Consultants are fully regulated and licensed by OpesFidelio who are a trademarked network of Aisa International, s.r.o., regulated by the Czech National Bank to act as an independent securities trader (MIFID) and as an intermediary for Insurance within the EEA. Aisa also holds licences for Supplementary Pensions Savings and Consumer Credit | The company%u2019s Identi%u0086cation number is 282 24 981 and can be found in the web app at www.cnb.cz OpesFidelio and its Trademark are certi%u0086cation marks owned by Aisa Ltd who permit the use of this Trademark in the EU.Professional, Trusted Financial AdviceGuiding you to a future of financial securityWith over 45 years experience, fully regulated Logic Financial Consultants offer clear financial advice on; %u2022 Investments %u2022 Pensions %u2022 QROPS/ QNUPS %u2022 SIPP%u00b4s %u2022 Cross Border Tax Planning %u2022 Inheritance and Succession Tax %u2022 Modelo 720 Asset Declaration.Email: info@logicfc.com www.logicfinancialconsultants.comIan Whitby DipPFS 634 706 748George Whitby DipPFS 696 513 955Joe Whitby 965 020 444Why not call for a free no-obligation consultation?Joe, Ian and George