Aragón Debate 2024: Key Claims Checked on Water, Funding & Teacher Pay

A heated debate among eight candidates vying for the Presidency of Aragón has revealed stark divisions on key issues facing the region, including teacher salaries, regional financing, and healthcare wait times. The debate, held by RTVE, saw candidates clash over policy and accusations as Aragón prepares for elections to the Cortes on February 8th. VerificaRTVE has fact-checked key claims and provided context to the exchanges.

Teacher Salaries in Aragón

During the debate, Jorge Pueyo of the Chunta Aragonesista directly challenged People’s Party candidate Jorge Azcón regarding the working conditions of teachers in Aragón. Pueyo stated, “We have the second worst-paid teachers in all of Spain, they are cold in winter, hot in summer, and their conditions are deplorable.” This claim aligns with a comparative analysis by UGT, which identifies Aragón as the second-lowest paying region for teachers in 2025.

The UGT study details average monthly salaries of €2,382.52 for teachers, €2,703.61 for secondary school teachers, and €2,517.19 for vocational training instructors – figures that do not include seniority bonuses. Aragón trails only Asturias in terms of low teacher pay. Notably, in 2024, secondary school teachers in Aragón again had the second-lowest salaries in Spain, while primary school teachers were the eighth lowest paid.

Azcón assumed the presidency of Aragón in August 2023. Looking ahead, teachers in Aragón are slated to receive a 2.25% salary increase beginning in January 2026, following an agreement reached with education unions and ratified by the Aragonese government. A further 2.25% increase is planned for 2027, potentially bringing the total increase to 4.5%.

Regional Financing: Teruel vs. Catalonia

A point of contention arose when Azcón criticized Pilar Alegría, the Socialist candidate, for comparing the regional financing of Catalonia with the special financing allocated to Teruel. Azcón accused Alegría of suggesting the financial support for Teruel was comparable to what was being offered to Catalan separatists. Alegría refuted this claim.

Alegría, while serving as the government spokesperson in September 2024, referenced an agreement between the PSC and ERC regarding financing in Catalonia. She noted that “special financing” is also recognized in territories like the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands due to their “ultra-peripheral” status. She further stated that early fiscal considerations included aid to the provinces of Cuenca, Teruel, and Soria. The 2023 general budget included reductions in Social Security contributions for these three provinces.

The Ebro River Water Transfer Debate

Alegría also criticized Azcón’s reaction to comments made by People’s Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo regarding the Ebro River water transfer. She pointed to what she described as Azcón’s “enthusiastic applause” during a Popular Party convention when Feijóo discussed the possibility of transferring water from the Ebro. Azcón denied the accusation.

During a PP event in Murcia on September 28, 2025, Feijóo advocated for “reusing” and “recycling” water, and suggested bringing water from areas where it is abundant. Azcón was seen applauding these remarks. Feijóo subsequently proposed a “National Water Pact” with a budget of €40 billion to address water scarcity. Azcón later clarified that when discussing Murcia’s water needs, he was referring to the existing Tajo-Segura transfer.

Candidates from the PSOE, the Aragonese Party (PAR), and the Chunta Aragonesista (CHA) all criticized Vox’s position on the Ebro River water transfer. Alberto Izquierdo of the PAR questioned Vox’s stance, while Pilar Alegría highlighted Vox’s support for the transfer. Jorge Pueyo presented a newspaper headline quoting Vox candidate Alejandro Nolasco suggesting that water could be “given to our neighboring regions” if there is a surplus. Nolasco’s electoral program advocates for a “national conception” of water management and the interconnection of all river basins.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current status of teacher salaries in Aragón?

According to a UGT analysis, Aragón currently has the second-lowest paid teachers in Spain, with average monthly salaries ranging from €2,382.52 for primary school teachers to €2,703.61 for secondary school teachers. A 2.25% salary increase is planned for January 2026, with another 2.25% increase expected in 2027.

What is the difference between the financing of Teruel and Catalonia, according to the candidates?

Jorge Azcón (PP) criticized Pilar Alegría (PSOE) for suggesting the special financing for Teruel was comparable to potential financing for Catalonia. Alegría responded that “special financing” is also recognized in other territories and that aid to Cuenca, Teruel, and Soria was among the earliest fiscal considerations.

What is Vox’s position on the Ebro River water transfer?

Candidates from other parties criticized Vox for supporting the Ebro River water transfer. Vox candidate Alejandro Nolasco has stated that water could be shared with neighboring regions if a surplus exists, and his party’s program advocates for interconnecting all river basins.

As Aragón heads towards elections, the positions taken by these candidates on critical issues like education, regional financing, and water management will likely shape the political landscape and future direction of the region.