Former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe González affirmed he is a socialist during a talk with Andalusian President Juan Manuel Moreno in Seville, amid the pre-campaign period. The event, focused on the Duchess of Alba, has caused discomfort in the Andalusian PSOE. González criticized the current state of Spain's railways.
On March 26, 2026, in Seville, former Prime Minister Felipe González and Andalusian President Juan Manuel Moreno took part in a talk about the Duchess of Alba, organized by Cayetano Martínez de Irujo at the Fundación Cajasol to mark the centenary of her birth. Moderated by Susanna Griso, the event coincided with the start of the pre-campaign for the May 17 Andalusian elections, drawing significant media attention despite being planned nearly a year in advance, according to organization sources and reports from EL PAÍS and other outlets. No Andalusian PSOE leaders attended, though Seville's mayor and Junta advisors from Finance and Culture were present, as were historic socialists like Miguel Ángel Pino and Alfonso Garrido, along with the duchess's family and figures like Bertín Osborne. To journalists, González responded to whether he preferred Moreno or María Jesús Montero by saying: “Soy socialista” (“I am a socialist”). Moreno voiced admiration for González, highlighting his “magnetism, leadership and capacity,” and thanked him for the first AVE line to Seville: “Agradezco que haya políticas de Estado” (“I appreciate state policies”). González praised the AVE from his era: “El AVE empezó a funcionar, no como lo de ahora” (“The AVE started working, not like now”), and called the current rail situation a “disparate,” especially criticizing Rodalies and its potential transfer to Catalonia: “Me parece un disparate lo que está pasando.” He defended commuter investments but noted: “Rodalíes está hecho un desastre” (“Rodalies is a disaster”). Asked if Spain is failing, González said: “Si tuviera 50 años menos haría una campaña con el lema de ‘lo que quiero hacer es que España funcione’” (“If I were 50 years younger, I would campaign with the slogan ‘what I want is for Spain to work’”). The event has upset the PSOE-A. Susana Díaz called it an “indecent manoseo” by the PP, recalling their past attempts to try González. Moreno questioned the PSOE rejecting “de manera ostentosa su pasado” (“ostentatiously its past”). González also discussed geopolitics, warning of gains for China and Russia amid global chaos. Attendees like Rosario, Marisa, and José Antonio praised both as “sensible and moderate.”
