Juan Espadas Steps Aside, Paving Way for Finance Minister Montero to Lead Andalusian PSOE

Jan 7, 2025, 10:48 AM

Juan Espadas, who left the Seville mayoralty to become secretary general of the PSOE in Andalusia, announced on Tuesday that he will not seek re-election in the upcoming primaries and will step aside to support another leadership. Espadas stated, 'Doy el paso a apoyar a otro liderazgo que renueve este proyecto y lo pueda convertir en ganador' ('I am taking the step to support another leadership that renews this project and can make it a winner'). He also reflected on his initial candidacy, saying he aimed to 'superar la confrontación' ('overcome the confrontation') following the conflict between Pedro Sánchez and Susana Díaz, and to 'dejar atrás un proyecto personal que nos fracturó' ('leave behind a personal project that fractured us'). Although he did not mention her by name, his decision opens the door for María Jesús Montero, the current Minister of Finance, to lead the Andalusian PSOE. The move is seen as an effort to align the Andalusian PSOE with the federal leadership and to overcome past divisions within the party.