Álvaro Sánchez Cotrina urges coalition talks to keep Vox out of Andalusia

Álvaro Sánchez Cotrina, secretary‑general of the Socialist Party in Extremadura, has entered the debate on whether the PSOE should support the PP’s budget if the regional president, María Guardiola, agrees to exclude Vox from any future government. He argues that the PSOE must act now to prevent Vox from entering a coalition in Andalusia, where President Juanma Moreno is only two seats short of an outright majority.

The head of UGT in Andalusia, Óskar Martín, has sent a letter urging a PP‑PSOE agreement to block Vox and safeguard public services, warning that a coalition with Vox would first harm unions, cooperatives and NGOs working with immigrants. Sánchez Cotrina’s proposal has been described as “common‑sense” despite its unconventional source. The discussion also references the situation in Castilla y León, where Vox already participates in the regional executive, and the possibility of a repeat election if negotiations fail.

Overall, the talks focus on avoiding a right‑wing coalition, protecting public budgets and social programmes, and exploring a legislative pact that could reform the regional health system and secure university funding.