“He was a reference for the socialists”

In a gesture of respect and condolences, Parliament decided to briefly interrupt legislative activity to dedicate a solemn minute of silence in honor of the deceased after the heartfelt words of Sebastián Franquis and the current president Fernando Clavijo.

Saavedra, whose political legacy left an indelible mark on political history, was remembered for his contributions at both the local and national levels.

«Just yesterday I spoke with him and he conveyed to me his joy and his commitment to public service. Saavedra has been a crucial figure in the history of Canarian and Spanish politics. Companion and teacher. Rest in peace, dear Jerome.

«I have received the sad news of the death of President Jerónimo Saavedra. Far from political differences, all my gratitude because this Canary Islands of today is also yours. My deepest condolences to his family and to Canarian socialism.

From the Canary Coalition he also launched his particular farewell: «A sad day for the Canary Islands. Jerónimo Saavedra was an example of honesty and commitment to the islands. He defended education and culture as vehicles of social progress, and leaves us a great personal and political legacy. D.E.P”.

«Jerome was like a father»This is how Juan Jesús Facundo, mayor of Arucas and Secretary of Organization of the PSOE Gran Canaria, lamented the death of the historic Canarian socialist.

“Politically it has contributed a lot to us, not only to the socialists of Gran Canaria but to the entire Canary Islands.” AND “He was a national reference” within the PSOE“every time he spoke he gave a lecture”, because as Facundo recalled, he knew inside out the history of Spain and the Canary Islands, democratic political life and the ins and outs of the State.

“His figure will not go unnoticed.” «A great person, a thinker, is leaving»a man “who did not have it easy due to his condition.”

“It is a hard, sad day,” said the mayor of Arucas, who conveyed his “great regret” to the family of Jerónimo Saavedra.

«A flesh and blood socialist, one of those of race. He marked an era. He has been a father to me politically and personally.”

The Valleseco City Council has published a statement through its social networks that regrets the death with a notable moment of Saavedra in the municipality. He was Honorary President of the Zarzuela Festival, a “person committed to culture, and in a special way, to this lyrical genre.” Furthermore, they claim, he carried the name of Valleseco throughout the archipelago, nationally and internationally.

«Since 2013, the Valleseco Zarzuela Contest has been sponsored and supported in its context by Jerónimo Saavedra, who has been a key player in its development throughout its eleven editions. Making Valleseco the only municipality in the Canary Islands that has a very important figure in culture and national politics as Honorary President,” adds the council.

«I want to convey the city’s sorrow for the death of Jerónimo Saavedra Acevedo, first president of the Canary Islands, to his family and loved ones. Telde has to thank him for his contribution to the social well-being of the Canary Islands and the country, as well as the cultural legacy that he left and his determined and firm commitment to promoting it. Saavedra expressed on several occasions his love for Telde and contributed from his political position to his development, something for which we will always be grateful. Our city mourns the loss of him, although his legacy is already eternal.

The deputy of the Common, Rafael Yanes, expressed this Tuesday his deep sadness and that of the staff of the institution over the death of the former president of the Canary Islands and former minister Jerónimo Saavedra, who preceded him in office, and whose death leaves a “vacuum difficult to cover”.

Yanes has highlighted that the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands does not understand Jerónimo Saavedra, who he says was a reference in the social and political visa of the archipelago.

As a deputy of the Common, Jerónimo Saavedra “carried out an important task in defending the rights of the most vulnerable people and, for me, it has been a true honor to replace him,” added Rafael Yanes.

And he concluded by saying that Jerónimo Saavedra “was always willing to advise me based on his recognized experience and capacity for dialogue.”

«You worked tirelessly to make the Canary Islands a more prosperous land. We inherit from you your passion for culture and art. You leave and leave our archipelago orphaned. Rest in peace one of the best politicians in our history. A great person”.

«RIP Jerónimo Saavedra. History of the self-government of the Canary Islands where he was the first president. Important contributions in the academic and cultural field, and most importantly, a person of great disposition. My deepest condolences to family and friends and to the entire socialist family.

«My deepest condolences to the family and friends of the man who was a reference for the Canary Islands. Jerónimo Saavedra. His legacy is indelible and his figure is part of the democratic history of our land. May he rest in peace. » Words from the regional vice president that added to the general condolences of the Canarian PP.

The rector of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Lluís Serra, wanted to highlight the great relevance of the figure of Jerónimo Saavedra, “a friend whom I turned to for advice on multiple occasions, due to his prominent role in the academic world, but also in the cultural world of the Canary Islands.

Saavedra was linked to the university institution as a professor in the Department of Public Law until his retirement in 2006, the Gran Canaria university recalls in a statement where it “deeply regrets” his death.

«My sincere condolences to his family, friends and fellow socialists. One of the most relevant historical personalities in Canarian politics is leaving. A life of commitment and service. May she rest in peace.

«Jeronimo Saavedra has left us. In the Town Hall of the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria we will say our last goodbye to him. This afternoon at 7 p.m. the funeral chapel will be installed in the Golden Hall. See you always Mayor!!!

This is how the mayor of the Gran Canaria capital said goodbye. A few words to which the leadership of the PSOE joined. «Sad day for the Canary Islands. Jerónimo Saavedra, a political and historical figure of this land, has died. His fight for freedom, his defense of democracy, his progressive commitment. “We just have to say THANK YOU, partner.”

«In Strasbourg I was unexpectedly struck by the loss of Jerónimo, the genealogy and entire history of Canarian socialism, today in mourning. I sympathize with all our people and hug his family. We pay tribute to his life, efforts and passion for culture.

«Today, with pain, they tell me that a mentor, an ideological reference, a friend is saying goodbye to us… today the city where we were born, the Canary Islands, and Spain are losing a man who went through life leaving a mark and loving beauty. . RIP Jerónimo Saavedra.

The president of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, has remembered him as “firm defender of democracy and committed to public service.”

Likewise, he conveyed his condolences to the entire family and relatives of the deceased on behalf of the island corporation and the entire Tenerife society. “We lose a political leader, a firm defender of democracy and an educator committed to public service, as he liked to define himself,” he expressed in a note.

He has highlighted his role as Minister of Education and Public Administrations, as mayor of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, as well as deputy of the Common, a position he held until 2018. «All of us who were lucky enough to share with him, highlight his deep knowledge of the sciences and the arts and his spirit of dialogue and conciliation,” he added.