Juanma Moreno has been sworn in as President of Andalucia after reaching a coalition agreement with hard-right party Vox.
The Partido Popular leader was all smiles after it was announced that he had won enough support at the second investiture vote in the regional parliament in Sevilla on Thursday night.
It came just 30 minutes after he had signed a deal with Vox’s regional leader Manuel Gavira, with whom he has hashed out a 150-point programme.
Under the agreement, Gavira will become Regional Minister for Tourism, Deregulation, Justice and Local Administration, while also serving as one of the Junta’s vice presidents.
It is the first time that Vox has held a cabinet position within the Andalucian parliament.
Moreno said on X: ‘Today the Andalucians win. Andalucia advances with a sensible, fair, and legal Legislative Agreement that will bring stability to our land for the next four years.
‘It is a great honour to take on the responsibility of continuing to govern for everyone.’
Moreno had earlier announced the signing of the Agreement for Government and Stability in Andalucia.
The coalition deal gives Vox greater influence within Andalucia’s institutions.
The hard-right party will take one of the region’s five Senate seats currently allocated to the PP and will also receive one of the vice presidencies of the Andalucian Parliament.
The agreement outlines 150 policy measures that the two parties say are designed to provide stability and ensure the region has a functioning government after the PP fell two seats short of an outright majority in last month’s regional election.
Those measures will begin to emerge over the coming hours and days.
Moreno had failed to secure re-election in Tuesday’s first investiture vote after receiving support only from the PP’s 53 MPs.
The agreement with Vox provides the additional votes needed to secure a parliamentary majority and avoid fresh elections.
The coalition represents a significant shift in Andalucian politics.
While Moreno previously governed alone with external support, Vox will now hold executive power inside the regional government for the first time, taking responsibility for several key portfolios.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
