The New Year started with a political row on Lanzarote after the poor TV ratings for a national broadcast of the chimes from the Castillo de San José.
Fewer than 5% of Spanish viewers tuned in for the transmission of the chimes which took place twice in order to reflect the different time zone in the Canaries. This has prompted opposition politicians from the Socialist and Nueva Canarias parties to accuse the Cabildo of wasting money on “whims and failures”.
Around €1.5 million was spent on a ceremony in which the Telecinco and Cuatro channels broadcast live from the Castillo, with a party that was attended by almost 2,000 islanders.
The Cabildo has responded by saying the event was a “fine party that permitted us to show Spain the essence of an island that combines the work of a unique artist, incredible landscapes, a thriving food and drink scene and a population who love to enjoy themselves.”