The Working Group on urgent measures to combat drought in Andalusia, focused on urgent measures to combat drought in the autonomous community, has recently approved its report, marking a turning point in the environmental policy of Andalusia. This step forward has been taken exclusively with the votes of the Andalusian Popular Party (PP-A), highlighting the partisan division on an issue of growing environmental concern.
Divided vote on the adoption of urgent measures
The decision of the PP-A has taken place in a context of divided voting: the Spanish Socialist Workers Party of Andalusia (PSOE-A) has positioned itself against it, while Vox has chosen to abstain. On the other hand, the groups Por Andalucía and Mixto-Adelante Andalucía have not attended the meeting, evidencing differences in prioritization and approaches to this environmental crisis.
Antonio Repullo, president of the working group and general secretary of the Andalusian PP, has emphasized the critical water situation in Andalusia, pointing out that «without water there is no future«. Repullo has urged the Government of Pedro Sánchez to act immediately, criticizing the inaction regarding the execution of more than thirty essential works for the region. The emphasis has been on the need to recognize Andalusia as the driest region in Europe and the urgency of adopting structural measures for its growth and sustainable development.
The PP-A calls for coordinated action with the Central Government on urgent measures
The approved report reflects a proactive management of the Andalusian government led by the PP-A and Juanma Moreno, which has exceeded 1.500 billion euros in investments. However, Repullo has highlighted that Andalusia cannot face this problem alone, urging coordinated action with the central government and the convening of the National Drought Roundtable to adopt consensual measures.
The final document of the working group highlights the need for Europe to recognize the water uniqueness of Andalusia, encouraging investment in infrastructure. It also highlights the importance of exploring all possible sources of water resources, including dams, regenerated and desalinated waters, to maximize water use.
This report marks not only a critical point in the management of water resources in Andalusia, but also in the political dialogue around environmental sustainability and cooperation between different levels of government. The drought in Andalusia, thus, becomes a battlefield not only against climate change, but also in the field of public policies and governance.
