The Secretary of Equality of the PSOE-A, Olga Manzano, reiterated this Sunday her criticism of the «contempt» that, in her opinion, the Andalusian Government of Juanma Moreno (PP-A) incurs by rejecting the write-off of «almost 19,000 million euros» of debt, which, within the framework of «a good offer,» the Spanish Government has made to the Andalusian administration. She maintained that the President of the Junta is thus committing an «absolute irresponsibility» that will be «very difficult to explain» and will «eventually backfire.»
«All because of not saying yes to an offer that comes from the hand of the Minister of Finance, María Jesús Montero,» added the Socialist representative in a media briefing in Granada, where, as reported by the PSOE-A in a statement, Olga Manzano criticized that, while rejecting the debt write-off, the Andalusian Government «commits the recklessness of announcing a new debt of one billion.»
The Socialist leader emphasized that the «almost 19,000 million» euros of the write-off offered by the Ministry of Finance would «reduce Andalusia’s debt by half,» and criticized that, «even so, Moreno Bonilla refuses to accept this proposal made by the Spanish Government through Minister María Jesús Montero.»
Olga Manzano urged the President of the Junta and the Minister of Finance to «stop using childish and puerile arguments such as the one that the money coming from the Spanish Government is ‘Monopoly’ money,» when, «in reality, it is real money,» as emphasized by the Andalusian parliamentarian.
The Secretary of Equality of the PSOE-A also argued that the Andalusian Government cannot use «the excuse of discrimination against Catalonia» anymore because it should be noted that Catalonia «only has 17,000 million forgiven, which doesn’t even reach 30% of its total debt,» figures below those of Andalusia.
«It is evident that the President of the Andalusian Junta is conducting harmful management for our region because he prioritizes, with his cynicism and arrogance, the interests of the Popular Party over those of the Andalusians,» stated Olga Manzano.
Similarly, she criticized how «two weeks ago, the Andalusian government walked out of the Fiscal and Financial Policy Council to avoid voting against the debt write-off because they knew, and know, that this proposal is beneficial for Andalusia, and they didn’t want to expose themselves to the Andalusians.»
For Manzano, the «false, fallacious, and deceitful arguments» they have been using «these days» to justify their rejection only have one reason, and that is to continue confronting the Spanish Government of Pedro Sánchez.
PSOE-A INITIATIVES
In response, the PSOE of Andalusia will bring to the next Plenary Session of the Andalusian Parliament an initiative demanding the acceptance of the debt write-off, where the PP «will have to position itself again.»
In this regard, Manzano recalled the agreement reached in 2018 in the Andalusian Parliament and «how just fifteen months ago Moreno Bonilla said he would accept a debt write-off if it were 17,000 million euros.» «Therefore, this rejection of the debt is inexplicable, but also absolutely contradictory. A write-off that, I repeat, is very beneficial for Andalusia,» she emphasized.
The Socialist parliamentarian also explained that the PSOE of Andalusia will present these motions at the local level, in municipalities and councils, and will also ask the PP and other political parties to «support the request to the Government of Moreno Bonilla to settle the debt it has contracted in terms of financing with local entities, as established by law.»
«The allocation for ‘Patrica’ –Participation in the Taxes of the Autonomous Community– for the year 2025, being only 535 million, represents a meager growth of just 0.94% compared to the previous year, a ridiculous amount that is far from the 4.5% increase in the overall budget of the Junta de Andalucía for this year, and undoubtedly contrasts with the 13% increase in the advance payment that the Spanish Government plans to make to the municipalities,» explained Olga Manzano.
With this initiative in the Parliament, councils, and municipalities, the Socialists aim for «favorable positions, support to improve the resources of local entities, but also of our autonomous community.»
The Socialist parliamentarian added that the debt write-off proposed by the Spanish Government makes Andalusia the «most benefited» autonomous community, allowing it to save more than 140 million euros each year in debt repayment and interest.
This debt write-off, she elaborated, would enable the autonomous community to «improve its financial position, access better conditions in the markets, gain political autonomy, and especially have more resources for areas such as health, education, or dependency.»
«How much could Moreno Bonilla do with this saving in these public services, which are currently more weakened than ever, with unbearable waiting lists in both dependency and health?» Manzano questioned, also pointing out that this write-off «would also help finance local entities, finance municipalities that provide essential public services to the citizens.»
«While municipalism demands more resources from Moreno Bonilla, what the President of the Junta does is deny them with his rejection of the debt write-off,» criticized Olga Manzano, who defended that «from the PSOE of Andalusia, we are clear,» and believe that «this debt write-off, this measure, is directly linked to the demand we have been making for some time for better funding for Andalusia, as long as the model is not definitively reformed.»
In this regard, she argued that the Spanish Government «has not ceased to work all this time to improve the funding of our autonomous community.» On the one hand, she said, by allocating «more resources than ever,» but also by the «reduction of the debt imposed on us by the PP governments,» she added.
«CHAOTIC MANAGEMENT» BY MORENO
«From the Andalusian Socialist Party, we want to make it clear that those who reject this initiative will clearly be prioritizing the party interests of the Popular Party over the interests of Andalusia. And this land does not deserve such chaotic management as that carried out by Moreno Bonilla,» stated Manzano.
The Secretary of Equality of the PSOE-A demanded that «the mistreatment of Moreno Bonilla towards the Andalusians must stop» because «we cannot continue in this situation.» She added that «the motion we will submit to the councils and councils we believe should be an opportunity to start reversing this policy of contempt for Andalusia and its people.»
Moreno’s attitude, with his rejection of the debt write-off, is «irresponsible, inexplicable, and also contradictory,» Olga Manzano concluded.