Montero Misses Debate: Moreno Avoids Electoral Head-to-Head in Andalusia

In Spain, the organization of electoral debates depends on the will of the candidates, due to the lack of legislation regulating them. Candidates with an advantage tend to avoid formats that expose them, while those with fewer possibilities need them to gain visibility and improve their chances. This dynamic is common in all electoral campaigns, where the debate about debates becomes a central issue.

The 'head-to-head' formats, which limit the debate to the two main candidates, are particularly strategic. In the Andalusian elections, the proposal by RTVE and the Prisa Group for a 'head-to-head' debate between Juanma Moreno (PP) and María Jesús Montero (PSOE) was rejected by Moreno's campaign team. The proposal included a specific date, but the PP preferred to focus on broader and more traditional debates.

The Popular Party agreed to participate in two debates with more candidates, one on RTVE and another on Canal Sur, but rejected the 'head-to-head' format. This decision reflects a strategy to not elevate Montero to the category of direct adversary of the president of the Junta. According to sources from El Independiente, Montero was the only one who viewed the 'head-to-head' favorably as a way to improve her position in the polls.

The PP's refusal to this format is based on strategic calculations and the perception that a 'head-to-head' debate would benefit Montero. Moreno's team prefers to maintain a campaign with fewer risks and greater control over the narrative.

This decision also responds to the criticism of other political forces that see in the 'head-to-head' an attempt to reinforce bipartisanship and silence other voices.

The proposal for a 'head-to-head' debate generated criticism from other political parties. José Ignacio García, candidate of Adelante Andalucía, announced that he would appeal to the Central Electoral Board (JEC), arguing that this format ignores a considerable percentage of Andalusian voters. Antonio Maillo, head of the Por Andalucía list, also criticized the format, pointing out that it favors bipartisanship and silences other political options. Maillo highlighted that the 'head-to-head' debates are usually hosted by private television stations or the Television Academy, never by the public, due to legal restrictions.

Manuel Gavira, head of the Vox list, joined the criticism, accusing the PP and PSOE-A of 'shenanigans', replicating the usual strategy of the ultras. The JEC, in charge of regulating public media, must guarantee pluralism and informational neutrality, according to article 66 of the LOREG.

A reform of the Organic Law of the General Electoral Regime (LOREG) is pending to regulate the mandatory nature of electoral debates and the transparency in the dissemination of microdata from polls during campaigns. This measure, included in the Action Plan for Democracy, would establish the holding of at least one debate in public media and the mandatory participation of political forces, unless there is a justified cause accepted by the Electoral Board.

This reform seeks to ensure greater participation and transparency in the electoral process, as well as strengthen public debate and the accountability of candidates.

The PP's decision not to participate in a 'head-to-head' debate with María Jesús Montero reflects a conservative campaign strategy, prioritizing control of the narrative and avoiding unnecessary risks. By accepting debates with more candidates and rejecting the bilateral format, the PP seeks to maximize its visibility and minimize possible errors that could arise in a direct confrontation. This strategy aligns with the tendency of parties with an advantage in the polls, who usually avoid formats that could jeopardize their position.

The Andalusian electoral campaign is in a crucial phase, and the strategic decisions of the parties, such as not participating in a 'head-to-head', can have a significant impact on the final results.