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The current legislative term in the autonomous community of Andalucía is entering its final phase, with current regional president Juanma Moreno confirming that elections will be held on May 17, 2026 to find out which party or coalition of parties will have the right to govern the region for the next four years.

 

The decision, which Moreno – from the centre-right PP part – presented as a way to encourage democratic participation and provide stability in uncertain times, brings forward a contest that was due at some point before the summer but which has surprised commentators by its early announcement.

 

More than 6 million people are eligible to vote in Andalucía, though foreigners who do not hold Spanish nationality cannot vote in any regional elections for each of Spain’s 17 autonomous communities, including these Andalusian elections.

 

The timing of Moreno’s election call reflects clear political considerations, including limiting the campaign window for its main rivals and taking advantage of divisions on the right. By opting for May rather than a later date, the governing PP appears to be trying to piggyback on favourable electoral conditions, following a strong showing for the party in other autonomous communities’ elections already this year, including those in Aragón and Castilla y León, and Extremadura in December 2025.

 

In all these elections, the PP won while the far-right Vox party increased its vote share and the centre-left PSOE suffered losses.

 

In Andalucía, however, Vox is entering the electoral race amid internal tensions and without a confirmed lead candidate, weakening its position at a crucial moment. This could prove significant, as Moreno’s ability to govern without relying on Vox as a coalition partner remains one of the central questions of the election.

 

For the PSOE, María Jesús Montero will lead the campaign for the centre-left. Currently serving in the national government as First Vice-President under Pedro Sánchez, she is expected to step back from her ministerial duties to focus fully on the Andalusian race.

 

Her candidacy is widely seen as a major test for the Socialists, particularly in a region where they once held long-standing dominance but where the PP have been in power since 2014.

 

Further to the left, the political space remains fragmented. Leftwing parties such as Por Andalucía (led by candidate Antonio Maíllo, pictured left), Adelante Andalucía and Podemos are expected to run separately rather than as a unified coalition, despite national plans afoot to create a new leftwing alliance.

 

While this division could dilute their overall impact, these groups are placing strong emphasis on mobilising disengaged voters, arguing that turnout among progressive supporters will be decisive.

 

Key campaign themes are already emerging, with public services – particularly healthcare – likely to take centre stage. Critics of the current regional government argue that this remains a weak point even after so many years in power, and are framing the election as an opportunity to push for changes in social policy along the lines of those introduced nationwide by the central government in Madrid.

 

For expats living in Andalucía – whether on the Costa del Sol, in Cádiz, Granada or Almería – the outcome of these elections will have major consequences for the years to come, though they will have no say in the decision unless they hold Spanish citizenship.

 

Image 1: rarrarorro

Image 2: Por Andalucía