Spain's Sanchez Loses Key Ally as Minister Quits After Train Crashes

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has lost a key member of his government after Transport Minister Oscar Puente announced his resignation following two deadly train accidents in Spain that have killed 115 people this year.

His departure comes at a difficult time for Sanchez's government, which is facing growing criticism ahead of the November 29 parliamentary election.

Puente announced his decision on Tuesday night after facing questions from lawmakers about the railway accidents and the government's response.

Opposition parties and coalition partners had called on him to take responsibility for the incidents. The minister also confirmed that he would not stand in the upcoming election.

• Spain's Transport Minister Oscar Puente Quits After Deadly Train Crashes Kill 115
• Pedro Sanchez Faces Political Pressure as Spain's Transport Minister Resigns
• Spain Railway Accidents Trigger Minister's Resignation Ahead of November Election

Train Accidents Increase Pressure on Sanchez Government

The latest resignation follows a train collision in Spain on October 28 near Urda in central Spain, which killed 69 people. The accident involved a high-speed train operated by state-owned Renfe and a stationary train belonging to private operator Iryo on the Madrid-Seville route.

According to Puente's explanation to lawmakers, several trains were automatically stopped after a railway signalling system failure. Railway controllers in Madrid later took control and allowed the Renfe train to continue, even though the Iryo train remained stationary ahead. Investigators estimated that the collision took place at a speed of between 160 and 200 kilometres per hour.

This was Spain's second major railway accident this year. In January, another crash on the same Madrid-Seville line killed 46 people. Together, the two accidents have raised concerns about railway safety standards, maintenance and the management of the country's transport infrastructure.

Puente had earlier said he would remain in office until the investigations were completed and improvements to railway safety were underway. However, he revealed that he had decided to resign shortly after learning about the October accident. He did not make the decision public immediately, choosing to focus on the emergency response and support for the victims.

The minister said he wanted to ensure that emergency arrangements were in place, investigations had started and support measures for affected families were being carried out before leaving his position.

Carlos Cuerpo to Take Temporary Charge of Transport Ministry

Prime Minister Sanchez praised Puente's decision, calling it an act of political responsibility. He later announced that Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo would temporarily take charge of the Transport Ministry.

Puente had been transport minister since November 2023. During his time in office, he oversaw railway network expansion and investments partly funded by European Union recovery funds. However, his tenure also faced criticism from opposition parties and railway unions over maintenance spending, service disruptions and safety standards.

His resignation adds to the political challenges facing Sanchez ahead of the November 29 election. The Spanish government crisis has become a major issue for the opposition, with People's Party leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo calling on the prime minister to resign and take responsibility for the government's handling of the crisis.

Before stepping down, Puente outlined several measures to improve railway safety measures. These include reducing train services on the affected route until safety checks are completed, improving railway control centres and speeding up the introduction of the European Rail Traffic Management System.

The government has also proposed increasing passenger compensation and making payments to victims and their families more quickly. Another planned measure involves using artificial intelligence in railway safety to identify unusual activity and monitor communication between train drivers and railway controllers.

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With Puente leaving the government, Sanchez now faces the task of restoring public confidence in Spain's railway network. The ongoing investigations and the government's ability to improve safety will remain important issues as the country approaches the November election.