The political landscape of southern Gran Canaria changed in May 2027 and has undergone a radical transformation over the last two decades. Analyzing the municipal election data in San Bartolomé de Tirajana and Mogán from 2007 to 2023 reveals a clear decline of traditional political forces, a rise in regionalist and independent parties, and a fragmentation of the vote that has hampered governance.
In San Bartolomé de Tirajana, the AV-People's Party (PP) coalition has long been the dominant force, although it has lost significant ground. In 2007, the PP won 14 council seats and over 14.000 votes, giving it an absolute majority. However, this number has gradually declined in subsequent years. In 2023, the PP won 7 council seats and 5.363 votes, representing a loss of half its representation since 2007. The Residents' Association (AV), traditionally an ally of the PP, has played a prominent role in local politics, winning 7 council seats and over 5.700 votes in 2023.
The Canarian Coalition (CC) has also lost ground in the municipality, dropping from 3 councilors and almost 3.700 votes in 2007 to 7 councilors and more than 4.800 votes in 2023. The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) has maintained a more stable presence, winning between 5 and 9 councilors during the period analyzed. In 2023, the PSOE won 6 councilors and 4.045 votes. New Canaries (NC) has experienced a gradual rise, going from 6 councilors and almost 5.000 votes in 2007 to 5 councilors and 3.390 votes in 2023.
Podemos-Tirajana Puede (SBTPuede), left-wing, obtained 2 councilors and 1.053 votes in 2019, although it lost representation in 2023. Ciudadanos (CS) obtained 1 councilor and 890 votes in 2019, but did not achieve representation in 2023.
In Mogán, the Juntos por Mogán (JPM) electoral group was the most voted party in the last elections, winning 17 council seats and more than 7.000 votes in 2023. This victory represents a significant shift in local politics, as the People's Party (PP) had been the dominant force for several terms. The PP won 10 council seats and more than 4.200 votes in 2007, although this number has decreased considerably in subsequent years. In 2023, the PP did not win any seats; Nueva Canarias won 2 council seats and 736 votes, and the Socialist Party (PSOE) won 2 council seats and 710 votes. The mayor is reportedly finalizing an agreement with the PP for 2027.
Citizens for Change (CIUCA) has also played a prominent role in Mogán politics, winning 10 council seats and over 3.000 votes in 2019, although it lost representation in 2023. New Canaries (NC) has maintained a stable presence, winning 2 council seats. In 2026, one NC councilor left to join Prica.
The PSOE has had a minority presence in Mogán, obtaining between 1 and 2 council seats during the period analyzed. In 2023, the PSOE won 2 seats and 710 votes.
In both municipalities in southern Gran Canaria, a trend toward a more fragmented political landscape is evident, with the emergence of new political forces and the loss of support for traditional parties. This has made it difficult to form stable majorities and has forced parties to seek alliances and agreements to govern. The rise of regionalist and independent parties is a common phenomenon in the Canary Islands, reflecting citizens' desire for politics that is more responsive to their problems and needs. The fragmentation of the vote also reflects the complexity of Canarian society and the need to find new forms of political representation.
