In Zaidín, one of the Granada neighborhoods hardest hit by last August’s earthquakes, María Jesús Montero contrasted the central government’s quick intervention with what she called the Junta de Andalucía’s slow response under Moreno Bonilla.
Montero’s visit had practical consequences. She announced that, after the government declared the area a disaster zone, residents could begin applying for compensation at the Subdelegación del Gobierno as soon as the next day. Applicants would need to provide documentation, she said, but the evaluation process would move quickly for those seeking relief. After the Council of Ministers declared the area a "zona gravemente afectada" on September 15, 2026, residents without insurance became eligible for state compensation through Protección Civil. The support covers personal losses, housing, and municipal expenses.
The University of Granada assessed its earthquake-related damages at 6.8 million euros and filed a claim with the insurance consortium. The losses affected major public infrastructure as well as residential buildings.
Local councils are also facing major costs. Montero said municipalities affected by the earthquakes can now seek reimbursement from the Spanish government for up to half the cost of infrastructure damage. She said this direct support contrasts with the regional administration’s approach. The Ministry of Economy put the number of earthquake-related insurance claims at about 49,000 to 50,000, with settlements already exceeding 100 million euros. The disaster has put compensation systems under pressure.
Montero criticized the Junta, accusing the regional government of responding late and questioning the value of the 46 million euros in aid it announced. She said much of that money had already been set aside for ongoing rehabilitation projects rather than new emergency funding. “In politics, transparency matters,” she said, warning against what she called “sirens’ songs” that mislead people about the true level of support. The Junta de Andalucía, for its part, announced a 46.2 million euro aid package for Granada and affected towns. The funds are divided among housing (15.5 million euros), municipal infrastructure (7 million), healthcare (over 10 million), education (1 million), social facilities (330,000), and judicial infrastructure (160,000). Regional officials said about 4 million euros had been specifically allocated for work and inspections at the Alhambra.
Municipalities in Granada have calculated their direct losses and requested over 27.6 million euros from the central government. The city of Granada accounts for about 17.15 million euros of that total, information from official reports. The regional civil protection system was downgraded from emergency status on September 15, indicating lower immediate risk while recovery work continues.
Despite the political tension, Montero called for cooperation between the Ayuntamiento, Junta de Andalucía, and the central government to ease the hardship faced by residents. She also stressed the need for long-term planning, including plans to introduce earthquake preparedness training in local schools, a routine practice in countries with frequent seismic activity.
Later that day, Montero continued her campaign in support of the central government, highlighting new investments in Andalusia. On her X profile, she pointed to the Council of Ministers’ approval of 1.267 billion euros for upgrades at airports in Málaga-Costa del Sol, Sevilla, Jerez, Almería, Granada-Jaén, Córdoba, and the Algeciras heliport. “Improving our air connections is impressive for Andalusia’s growth, attracting investment and creating jobs,” she wrote, presenting the projects as evidence of the government’s ongoing commitment to the region.
In Zaidín, Montero focused on disaster relief, emphasizing the central government’s quick response and questioning the regional administration’s transparency. She cast herself as an advocate for affected residents and a vocal opposition leader, sharpening the contest over credibility in Andalusia’s recovery efforts.
