Juanma Moreno has insisted British expats will not lose access to healthcare or emergency services under his new coalition government with Vox.
Speaking to COPE radio on Friday, a day after signing a 150-point coalition deal with hard-right party Vox, the president rejected claims that the pact would strip immigrants of basic public services.
‘It’s false that we’re going to leave immigrants without healthcare, abandon them during emergencies or remove children from schools,’ he said.
His comments come after the agreement sparked concern among some foreign residents over proposals to tighten immigration policies and introduce a system of ‘national priority’ when allocating certain public benefits.
Moreno said the measure had been widely misunderstood.
He explained that ‘national priority’ would apply only when assessing eligibility for some public assistance, with applicants required to demonstrate they have genuine roots in Andalucia.
‘It’s a criterion that’s already applied in many cases,’ he said. ‘It’s about proving you’re rooted in the place where you’re requesting assistance.’
The PP leader also defended his decision to govern with Vox after falling two seats short of an outright majority in May’s regional election.
He admitted he would have preferred to continue governing alone but argued that avoiding political deadlock was more important.
‘I’m not happy because my objective was different. My objective was those two extra MPs we needed,’ Moreno said.
‘I put the general interest above my own interests. I believed stability and having a functioning government were more important than my own pride.’
Moreno also urged critics to judge the coalition on its overall programme rather than individual policies.
‘I understand those who criticise the pact,’ he said. ‘But I invite them to read the 150 measures. The government is much more than those measures – it’s a fairly balanced government.’
The coalition agreement includes tougher measures on illegal immigration, including opposition to the redistribution of undocumented migrants across Spain, annual audits of immigration-related spending, and a commitment to end the region’s participation in the relocation of unaccompanied migrant minors.
However, Moreno stressed that the deal does not alter Andalucia’s obligation to provide healthcare, emergency assistance or schooling, including to those entitled under Spanish law.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
