Andalusian president Juanma Moreno has appointed experienced ministers and expanded the executive structure to secure stability in his first coalition government with Vox. Announced this week, the new cabinet is designed to limit internal tensions and ensure continuity as Vox enters the regional government for the first time.
Moreno’s approach favors political experience over experimentation. Most ministers keep their previous portfolios. The only newcomers from the Partido Popular, Mario Muñoz (Public Works and Mobility) and Adolfina Martínez (Sustainability and Environment), already held impressive roles in the last administration. This continuity is intended to keep the coalition on a steady course despite the unpredictable dynamics often associated with Vox in other regions.
The government’s structure now includes three vice presidencies, reflecting the balance of power between coalition partners. Antonio Sanz, a basic figure from the previous term, becomes first vice president and retains responsibility for the Presidency, Emergencies and Health. His appointment carries weight: unexpectedly tasked with managing the health portfolio during a crisis last term, Sanz restored dialogue with unions and stabilized the department. He is now leading a comprehensive reform of the Andalusian Health Service (Servicio Andaluz de Salud, SAS), focused on organizational and regulatory modernization, with technology also in view. Opposition scrutiny continues over issues such as privatization and waiting lists.
The reform took a formal step on 19 October, when Sanz convened SAS leadership at Seville’s Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío to begin preparing changes aimed at improving access and cutting response times, while strengthening coordination between basic care and hospitals. He described the initiative as “the biggest reform in decades.” The Junta de Andalucía plans to establish an Evaluation, New idea and Operational Reform Committee for the Public Health System. Its members will include health professionals, professional colleges, workers’ representatives, associations and patients. The Junta also intends to introduce a new Health System Guarantee Law to update the service’s legal and organizational structure.
The proposed 2027 regional budget allocates approximately €17.037 billion to public health, providing a financial structure for the planned SAS reform, information from reporting by Vozpópuli. The same report said the regional government had activated a reinforcement of 700 health professionals, with 90% already in post. Radiology is a particular focus, following the identification of capacity constraints at Virgen del Rocío. The reform follows political and administrative instability linked to controversy over breast-cancer screening services. The SAS, a major public institution with about 121,000 employees, falls under Sanz’s remit as first vice president and health councillor.
Vox’s Manuel Gavira becomes second vice president and will lead the newly consolidated Ministry of Tourism, Justice, Deregulation and Local Administration. Moreno said Gavira will be listed first in the official order of precedence, reflecting the terms negotiated between the coalition partners. Carolina España takes the third vice presidency while continuing as Minister of Economy, Finance and European Funds; she will also serve as the government’s spokesperson. España is tasked with preparing the coalition’s first budget, which is expected to include new tax cuts agreed with Vox.
Among the few structural changes, the government has created a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Development and Public Administration, led by José Antonio Nieto, formerly responsible for Justice and Public Administration. The previous Ministry of Public Works and Housing has been split: Mario Muñoz will oversee Public Works and Mobility, while Rocío Díaz takes charge of Housing, Youth and Spatial Planning. Other basic ministers remain in their posts: Jorge Paradela (Industry, Energy, New idea and now Universities), Patricia del Pozo (Culture, Sport and Historical Heritage), Carmen Castillo (Education and Vocational Training), Ramón Fernández Pacheco (Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development), Rocío Blanco (Employment, Business and Self-Employment), and Loles López (Social Services, Family and Equality).
The technology agenda also reaches healthcare. On 23 October, Sanz linked the health-service change to a digital revolution involving new technologies and artificial intelligence, with the stated aim of improving care and prevention. “Putting technology at the service of people,” he said. That same day, he presented Pilar Navarro as the new managing director of the Andalusian School of Public Health in Granada. The school is expected to develop programmes, diplomas and master’s degrees, incorporate artificial intelligence and expand its national and international networks as part of the wider modernization lead.
Moreno has acknowledged the challenges ahead, noting that the upcoming general and municipal elections could bring volatility to the political climate. To shield the regional government from external pressures, he aims to “encapsulate” the executive and keep its focus on governance instead of electoral confrontation. The strategy reflects the unpredictable nature of coalition politics, particularly with Vox as a partner.
Prioritizing political profiles over technocratic appointments reflects a broader trend in Spanish regional politics, where coalition governments increasingly rely on experienced figures to handle complex alliances. The dedicated AI ministry also signals Andalusia’s intent to position itself at the forefront of digital change among Spain’s autonomous communities.
Internal party dynamics and coalition negotiations remain recurring themes in Spanish politics. Recent developments in the Partido Popular’s Valencia branch, where leadership disputes have prompted calls for a regional congress, highlight the ongoing challenges of party management and coalition building. More details are available in this report on the PP’s internal crisis in Valencia.
Andalusia’s new government structure is expected to shape the region’s policy direction in the coming years. As the coalition approaches upcoming electoral cycles, Moreno’s strategy will be closely watched within Andalusia and across Spain.
