"It's not the same who governs": the left-wing parties mobilize on Spanish May Day coinciding with the start of the Andalusian campaign

The main demonstration at the Spanish level for this May 1st took place in Malaga, coinciding with the first day of the Andalusian elections campaign. Under the slogan "Rights, not trenches. Wages, housing, and democracy", thousands of workers took to the streets to demand better wages, decent and affordable housing, and respect for international law. The demonstration, however, was heavily marked by electoral-coded messages launched by progressive leaders who mobilized to take advantage of the first day of the campaign in Andalusia.

"It matters who governs," claimed Yolanda Díaz from Malaga. The second vice-president of the Spanish government and Minister of Labor made a direct appeal to the working class — to "the people who truly need quality and decent public healthcare"— to go out and vote on May 17th. The PSOE candidate for the Junta, María Jesús Montero, also recalled that Andalusia is "on the verge of elections where citizens can choose what model of society they want" and emphasized the issue of housing, "a luxury good that is not very affordable for many people, especially young people". Apart from Díaz and Montero, other political representatives were seen at the central march in Malaga, such as Minister Elma Saiz; and the candidate for Por Andalucía, Antonio Maíllo, federal leader of IU.

At the front of the march through the streets of central Malaga, and as is customary, were also the general secretaries of UGT and CCOO, Pepe Álvarez and Unai Sordo. The unions, which estimate participation at around 20,000 people, have emphasized the need to redistribute wealth, increase wages, and find a solution to the major housing problem, especially for young people. They also forcefully expressed their rejection of war.

At this key moment for the left, the unions aspire to become a bulwark against the right and the far-right. In the Andalusian context, they fear that the right-wing parties will once again occupy the government of the Junta for four more years, as has happened in Aragon, Extremadura, and Castilla y León.