The Por Andalucía coalition, comprising Izquierda Unida, Movimiento Sumar and Podemos, launched its election campaign in Seville on April 30 for the Andalusian elections on May 17. Candidate Antonio Maíllo expressed confidence in becoming president and aims to surprise voters. He pledges to reverse PP policies and protect public services.
In Seville's Alameda de Hércules, Antonio Maíllo kicked off Por Andalucía's campaign with thousands of volunteers under the slogan 'pueblo a pueblo, puerta a puerta'. "I feel like president of the Junta de Andalucía if given popular support, I won't set limits, we'll be the surprise", declared the candidate, a former high school teacher and federal coordinator of Izquierda Unida.
Maíllo sharply criticized president Juanma Moreno and the PP for Vox pacts, tax cuts for high earners, privatizations and housing tensions. He pledged to legally restrict housing sales in stressed areas to residential use only, eliminate private health contracts, hire 8,000 doctors, provide primary care in 48 hours and meet the 180-day dependency deadline. "We are the only formation that can guarantee it", he said on 100% public health.
The seven-party coalition aims to double its seats and mobilize the left against 41% abstention in prior elections. He invited dependency workers Raquel and Lorena, who decried outsourcing to private firms and long waits: "We carry loads like mules and dependent people are used as euros". Maíllo highlighted 1,000 local councilors and a 25-point program against public service dismantling.
CIS polls predict few seats for Por Andalucía, but Maíllo expects a surprise like in Extremadura. He urged against PP votes to prevent Vox reliance: "There is no more useless vote than voting PP".
