In the first five-candidate debate for the May 17 Andalusian elections, left-wing candidates unanimously attacked Juan Manuel Moreno over his health and housing management. The Junta president avoided clashing with Vox and focused on María Jesús Montero. The RTVE-moderated event highlighted the breast cancer screening crisis.
The debate, held on Monday May 4, 2026, at RTVE's Andalusian branch, featured Juan Manuel Moreno (PP), María Jesús Montero (PSOE), Manuel Gavira (Vox), Antonio Maíllo (Por Andalucía), and José Ignacio García (Adelante Andalucía). Moderated by Laura Clavero and Xavier Fortes, it covered economy, social policies, and regional financing.
Left-wing candidates jointly attacked Moreno's housing and public health management. Montero replied to Moreno: “You are like the emperor with no clothes: you refuse to recognize the suffering Andalucía.” Maíllo charged: “I don't know how you haven't told the truth about the screenings.” García challenged: “We don't know what happened, if any died, you said nothing.” Left-wing candidates wore symbols of solidarity with the 2,317 women affected by breast cancer screening failures.
Moreno defended his record by citing the socialist legacy, noting that as Health councillor Montero oversaw 7,000 health worker dismissals and a 1.5 billion euro budget cut. He announced a law to lock in rising health spending. On jobs, he highlighted creation figures and past 37% unemployment under PSOE. He ignored Vox, which pushed “national priority” for Andalusians over immigrants.
On regional financing, Moreno accused Montero of “privileging” Catalan separatists. She defended her model, providing Andalucía an extra 5.7 billion euros. In his final minute, Moreno called for stability to avoid “the mess.” The next debate is on Monday May 11 on RTVA.
