The PSOE-A candidate for the Junta, María Jesús Montero, has celebrated the agreement between Izquierda Unida, Sumar and Podemos to run under the brand Por Andalucía in the regional elections next May 17, calling it a “magnificent piece of news” in a context marked by the fragmentation of the left-wing vote. “It is good news that there has been capacity for dialogue,” she pointed out, highlighting the importance of unity to guarantee governability.
Montero has stressed that Andalusia “sets the standard” in the national political landscape, which is why she considers it especially relevant that both formations have managed to overcome their initial differences. “The fragmentation of the vote to the left of the PSOE can hinder governability,” she warned, while defending the need to have forces “cohesive and forceful” with which to reach government agreements.
Regarding possible post-election pacts, the socialist leader has made it clear that her objective is to govern alone, although she does not close the door to alliances within the progressive bloc. “Whenever we run in elections, we try to get the widest possible majority,” she stated, recalling that previous coalition governments in Andalusia, with Izquierda Unida or the Andalusian Party, contributed to the “modernization” of the community and the strengthening of public services.
He has been more emphatic in ruling out any understanding with the current Andalusian president, Juanma Moreno. “We are incompatible,” he stated, thus rejecting the possibility of a pact with the PP-A even to avoid the entry of Vox into the regional Executive. In his opinion, the PSOE-A represents “an alternative model” and “different society” compared to that of the popular party.
The also former vice president of the Government has warned of the growth of Vox in different territories and has expressed her concern about its institutional influence. “The arrival of the far-right causes a colonization of institutions and a democratic regression,” she has stated, also criticizing that the Popular Party has not established a “sanitary cordon” as does happen in other European countries.
Facing the electoral campaign, Montero has assured that she will focus her discourse on proposals and management, especially in the health sector. She has denounced the “deterioration” of the public health system in Andalusia under the Government of Moreno, whom she accuses of promoting a process of “privatization”. “Voting for progressive forces is the best vaccine against the far-right,” she has concluded.
