Lanzarote bullfighting proposal criticised

The Lanzarote En Pie party has criticised a proposal for Arrecife Council to recognise bullfighting as part of Spain’s cultural heritage.

They claim that the motion by the Popular Party (PP)is an “ideological manoeuvre to wave flags that have nothing to do with the real problems of Arrecife.”

Bullfighting was forbidden on the Canaries in 1991 and hardly ever took place before then. However, in 2013 Spain’s parliament recognised it as “protected cultural heritage”, removing the capacity of regional governments to prohibit it.

Earlier this month, a citizens’ proposal to remove bullfighting from the cultural heritage list was defeated in Spain’s parliament. However, the PP’s proposal in Arrecife appears to be an attempt to show support for the party’s position on mainland Spain, given that there is zero possibility of bullfights ever returning to Arrecife.

Leticia Padilla of Lanzarote En Pie said “While the city faces real problems such as housing, public transport, or the neglected neighbourhoods, the PP chooses to reopen a debate that the Canarian society has already settled and which contributes nothing to municipal life.”