The PP has shown unwavering support for the Andalusian Health Minister, Catalina García, in the face of a parliamentary debate on her censure initiated by the opposition. Despite widespread criticism of long waiting lists and a perceived pro-privatization stance in the healthcare system, the PP government and all its members rallied around García with a show of unity orchestrated from the top. This display of support is particularly notable as it comes at a time when Juan Manuel Moreno is considering a major cabinet reshuffle following the departure of the Agriculture Minister to run for the European Parliament.
The parliament of Andalusia has rarely seen such a spectacle, with all government members, except for Moreno, and high-ranking officials of the health ministry present during the debate on García’s censure. The majority held by the PP effectively blocked the censure motion, with opposition parties calling for García’s resignation due to the high number of patients on waiting lists and concerns over the management model of the public health system. García, who is facing the most criticism among all government members, has defended her position despite the challenging statistics that show significant backlogs in specialist appointments and surgeries.
The controversy surrounding the former deputy director of the Health Ministry, Miguel Ángel Guzmán, who joined a private insurance company that had received lucrative contracts from the government, further fueled opposition and union outrage. Additionally, attempts to update pricing in private healthcare agreements raised fears of privatizing primary care services. While the government moved to reverse these decisions, the focus remained on García’s management of the health system and the potential for further changes in the cabinet signaled by Moreno.
Criticism of García’s management style and the overall approach to healthcare provision in Andalusia has come from across the political spectrum, with calls for her resignation and accusations of neglecting public health services in favor of private interests. While the PSOE, Por Andalucía, and Adelante highlighted statistics and trends that pointed to a problematic model of healthcare delivery, even the normally supportive Vox abstained from the censure vote. The PP, on the other hand, staunchly defended García, dismissing the censure debate as a sexist and misogynistic campaign aimed at undermining a female leader in government.
Despite the heated debate and calls for her resignation, García remains defiant and determined to continue in her role, backed by the unwavering support of the PP. Her commitment to staying in office, as expressed in previous statements, suggests a readiness to weather the storm of criticism and forge ahead with her vision for the healthcare system in Andalusia. Ultimately, it will be up to Moreno to decide on any further actions in response to the ongoing controversy surrounding García’s leadership of the health ministry and the challenges facing the public health system in the region.
