The president of the Junta, Juanma Moreno, today defended Andalusia’s autonomy in order to be able to compete for leadership in Spain, while at the same time calling for unity, collective effort and a generous and useful alliance of all Andalusians to build a better Andalusia and move forward together towards the future with determination and pride. He called for this to be done with the aim that generation after generation this land will continue to be the land of our children and grandchildren. «It is our duty to leave them a prosperous and welcoming Andalusia, with principles and values so that they too can be Andalusians proud to belong to this unique land».
During his speech at the ceremony to commemorate Andalusia Day at the Teatro de la Maestranza, Moreno said that Andalusia’s leadership needs us all, while indicating that we have an obligation to transmit to everyone the story of generosity, enthusiasm and courage that lies behind 28 February and 4 December, Flag Day.
A history which, he said, has taught us that we have a treasure in difference, in the sum of the different and in openness to different ideas, opinions and cultures. «Andalusia is not strong in dogmas, but in freedom», he added.
In this way, he pointed out that Andalusia is a legacy, history, the heritage that unites and identifies us, and a living land that needs everyone to bear fruit, improve and grow. He indicated that the Andalusians have opened a page of determination and self-confidence and are determined to look problems in the face and take on new challenges.
«We have a vocation to share our efforts, our courage and our talent with the world. Andalusia is much more than a place and much more than what we can express».
In this regard, he said that we are a free and creative people, but also hard-working and sacrificed to make dreams come true, and that is why he stressed that the Andalusians who are building a better future for Andalusia together «do not want to and cannot forget those who did it before us, the elders, the grandfathers and grandmothers who sowed the seeds of the modern Andalusia that today competes with the best, without complexes».
At this point, he referred to the war in Ukraine, which is now a year old, and to the example of dignity and resistance in defence of freedom and democracy shown by the Ukrainian people, and to the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, which has caused thousands of victims.
«In the midst of the horror, the heart of Andalusia and the courage of many Andalusians who have not hesitated for a moment to help, because Andalusia is also solidarity, generosity and dedication to improving the lives of others,» he added.
An Andalusia with the ability to choose its future within the framework of the Constitution
The Andalusian President assured that the way of being of the Andalusians, their emotions and their own feelings, such as generosity, courage and hope, are a valuable tool for facing the tough demands of the current times.
In this way, he alluded to the energy crisis, the exorbitant rise in prices and the increase in mortgages that are impoverishing Andalusian families, as well as the drought, which is increasingly present in this land and which weakens the economy and forces us to take on the challenge of water as a priority.
For this reason, he insisted that Andalusia is acting with all the instruments and competences without renouncing any of the possibilities provided by the Statute of Autonomy. «We are determined to defend an Andalusia with the capacity to choose its future within the framework of the Constitution. We are aware that our value and our strength can contribute to making a better Spain».
Moreno stressed that today’s Andalusia does not accept tutelage or interference and that Andalusians do not accept obstacles being placed in their way, putting them at a disadvantage to compete on equal terms, while he also stated that it is not fair to attack our autonomy in comparison with other territories that are always given a red carpet.
In this sense, he stressed that we have the right to seek the best tools for the welfare and progress of Andalusia, lowering taxes, facilitating the creation of companies, attracting investment, strengthening economic sectors and adapting the productive fabric to the economy of the future. «Andalusia can also be a community of employment, companies, the self-employed, trade unions and administrations united in the great collective effort to generate quality employment».
The President of the Regional Government stressed that this community has the confidence, stability and security required for job creation, and this is where progress is being made. In relation to this issue, he specified that last year Andalusia led the drop in unemployment in Spain and has reached 190,000 million euros of GDP, although he clarified that it is not just a question of figures, but of a change in the way people look at this region.
«Today we are seen as an attractive and reliable community, convinced of its worth and ready to be the first. The Andalusia Brand is becoming broader, more modern and more attractive. We are wealth, diversity, tradition, vanguard, creativity and knowledge».
Along these lines, he stressed that Andalusians live in a paradise that we offer to the world with hospitality, generosity and joy because this is also Marca Andalucía and which we must protect and preserve so that the Andalusians of tomorrow also feel that it is a privilege to belong to this great community.
Responsibility, moderation and respect, the keys to useful politics
On another matter, he appealed to the importance of useful politics in order to seek solutions and improve every day, and advocated responsibility, moderation and respect as opposed to exaggeration, which «leads to nothing».
Moreno pointed out that it is in our hands to make Andalusia a source of wealth and well-being for all, and insisted that this community has a good public education, social protection and health system.
In reference to this, he pointed out that Andalusia’s public health system is becoming increasingly modern and a benchmark for research and the most advanced treatments, and emphasised that we are working tirelessly to improve and consolidate public services in the certainty that they are an essential and inalienable part of the society we want to be.
For this reason, he referred to the unprecedented effort that has been made by the Andalusian Government, with more than half of the budget, 26,000 million euros, going to sustain, expand and strengthen health, education and social policies. Added to this is the dedication and vocation to public service of more than 98,000 teachers, more than 60,000 social service workers and 125,000 public health professionals. «Our public services cover all of us, without exclusions, with no other difference than that we care more for those who need it most».
On this point, she alluded to the commitment of this Executive to women who are victims of gender violence or sexual aggression and reiterated that here they receive legal protection and understanding in the face of the possibility of their aggressors being released as a result of a law that is taking too long to be corrected. «Andalusian women can be sure that their community will always be by their side».
Furthermore, she added that she believes unreservedly in the future of Andalusia, a future that depends on the energy and drive of young people, to whom «we must open the way so that no talent is blocked due to a lack of opportunities and training».
«Let us continue to move forward together towards the permanent desire for the best possible Andalusia because the aspiration to improve this land is an infinite and beautiful path. The Andalusia we want is there and it calls us to keep working, to keep moving forward and to keep dreaming», he concluded.
Also attending the 28 February celebrations were the members of the Regional Government of Andalusia’s Governing Council; the President of the Andalusian Parliament, Jesús Aguirre; the members of the Bureau and spokespersons of the Andalusian Parliament; the Spanish Government’s delegate in Andalusia, Pedro Fernández, as well as former presidents of the Regional Government of Andalusia, among other civil, judicial, ecclesiastical and military authorities.