María Jesús Montero: From Minister to Candidate in Andalusia. Former Spanish Deputy Prime Minister María Jesús Montero has left her cabinet post to launch an election campaign in Andalusia. Her personal history and management style spark both interest and controversy. In the spotlight are her family, past, and political challenges.
A new chapter has begun in Seville for María Jesús Montero: the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Spain is now running for the presidency of Andalusia from the PSOE. Her return to regional politics is marked not only by an active campaign, but also by attention to her personal life and past, which has become a topic of discussion in the local media.
Family traditions and changes
Montero is known for her openness and unconventional approach to personal matters. As a child, she would spend summers in Chipiona, where the whole family traveled by car, disregarding today's safety standards: four children in the back, three in the front, and María herself on her grandfather’s lap. Today she recalls these trips with a smile, noting that her father never drove faster than 60 km/h. Despite her busy schedule, Montero now finds time for her mother, Doña Conchita, who greets her daughter with homemade snacks and support.
A non-traditional personal life
Montero’s return to Seville coincided with an unusual family arrangement: she lives in the same house with her former husband, with whom she maintains a friendly relationship, even though both have new partners. According to Montero, such a setup requires trust and confidence, and the home remains a central place for their daughters. At home, she and her family discuss news and politics, but the children prefer not to participate in these conversations.
Political style and challenges
María Jesús Montero emphasizes that she does not fit traditional stereotypes. She notes that she has become the subject of caricatures and criticism from the opposition, particularly the PP and Vox, who often use memes and question her professionalism. Montero believes that this kind of 'dehumanization' is part of political struggle, citing as an example the situation with the Duchess of Sussex described in the Netflix documentary about Harry and Meghan. Despite the pressure, she continues to defend her spontaneity and openness in politics.
Career Path and Influence
By training, Montero is a doctor specializing in health management and worked in the SAS system, later holding leadership positions at Valme and Virgen del Rocío hospitals. She entered politics thanks to Manuel Chaves and José Antonio Griñán, becoming health adviser and then Minister of Finance of Andalusia. Within the PSOE, she established herself as an effective negotiator and one of the most influential leaders of the last cycle of socialist governance in the region.
Campaign and Support
During the campaign, Montero actively engages with her team, discussing strategy and responding to opponents' attacks. She notes that other prominent socialists, including Manuel Chaves and Susana Díaz, have joined the effort. Meetings with voters, interviews, and media appearances are part of her daily schedule, despite the constant lack of time.
Family Roots and Support
In Doña Conchita's house, a well-known teacher in Triana, there is always an atmosphere of support. Here, they discuss books, cook traditional dishes, and joke that Montero could have worked as a ham slicer at weddings. The father, Manolo, taught mathematics until he was 92, and it has always been customary in the family to discuss politics, though the daughters prefer not to dwell on these topics.
A long road in power
Montero emphasizes that after 24 years working in the government, she has become one of the most experienced active politicians in Spain. Her style is direct, energetic, and results-oriented. According to RUSSPAIN, such long political careers are not uncommon in the Spanish system, as confirmed by examples of other prominent figures, such as Germán Vargas Lleras, whose influence on Colombian politics was examined in detail in материале о его уходе.
