The president of the Junta de Andalucía, Juanma Moreno, has been one of the political protagonists of the night on television after his interview on El Hormiguero, Pablo Motos' program on Antena 3. During almost an hour of conversation, the leader of the Andalusian PP addressed key issues of current Spanish politics: the possible coincidence of general and Andalusian elections, his relationship with Vox, the future of the PSOE or his relationship with Isabel Díaz Ayuso.
These are the most highlighted phrases and keys from the interview.
“If Sánchez wants to align elections, go ahead”
One of the most commented moments came when Juanma Moreno addressed directly the President of the Government.
“Sánchez, if you want to make general and Andalusian elections coincide, go ahead. I am sure that the Andalusian citizens are not going to vote for you.”
Moreno assured that he would prefer that the Andalusian elections be held separately to focus the debate on Andalusia, although he affirmed that he would have no problem in them coinciding.
The Andalusian elections: “The Parliament will dissolve in April”
The Andalusian president avoided confirming the exact date of the regional elections, although he did leave an important clue.
According to what he explained during the interview, the Andalusian Parliament will dissolve in April and elections could be held around the month of June. Moreno acknowledged that current polls place the PP close to an absolute majority, although he admitted that “Vox is very strong.”
His criticism of Pedro Sánchez
During the conversation on El Hormiguero, Moreno launched several direct criticisms at the President of the Government. According to what he stated, Pedro Sánchez would have two main objectives:
- To become one of the longest-serving presidents in history
- To prolong the electoral cycle while different judicial cases are resolved
The Andalusian president also defended that the PSOE should return to a model of “moderate European social democracy”.
Their relationship with Ayuso
Another of the topics addressed was his relationship with the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso. Moreno assured that both maintain a good personal relationship, although he recognized that they have different political styles.
“We get along well and I've gone out partying with her, but the PP is a broad party and we don't all have to think alike.”
The role of Vox
About Santiago Abascal's party, the Andalusian president stated that Vox is going through a moment of strategic decision. In his opinion, the party must choose between participating in regional governments or maintaining a position of political blockade.
Moreno affirmed that Vox “knows how to point out problems, but doesn't always know how to solve them.”
Andalucía, Trump and the weight of olive oil
During the interview, he also addressed the economic situation of Andalusia and the weight of the olive oil sector in the face of the possible threat of an embargo by Donald Trump. As he explained, this product is fundamental for the regional economy: 250,000 Andalusian families live from oil and Andalusia produces 80% of Spain's olive oil.
Moreno even handed two bottles of olive oil to Pablo Motos during the program.