Following the train collision in Spain, the Minister of Transport announces his resignation

In Spain, Transport Minister Óscar Puente resigned on Tuesday following the Urda train crash that killed 69 people. This decision further weakens Pedro Sánchez's position less than a month before the general election.

Less than a month before the snap general election on November 29, Pedro Sánchez is facing the departure of his Transport Minister. Óscar Puente announced his resignation to parliament on Tuesday, six days after the Urda train disaster, which killed 69 people in central Spain. This second major accident of the year increases the pressure on the left-wing government, already shaken by several crises and facing unfavorable polls.

The minister was already in office when two high-speed trains collided in Adamuz, Andalusia, on January 18, killing 46 people. "A transport minister in a country like Spain cannot remain in office after two accidents of such magnitude in less than a year, however different they may be, and whether or not I bear direct responsibility," he declared. He cited "a matter of political dignity, consistency, and empathy for the victims."

A resignation following the Council of Ministers meeting

According to initial findings of the investigation, the Urda train disaster, which occurred on October 28, began with a computer malfunction that forced several trains to stop. An erroneous instruction was then transmitted from the Madrid control center, directing one of the trains to resume normal speed. This train then collided head-on with a train that was stopped on the tracks.

After repeatedly ruling out resigning, Óscar Puente confirmed Tuesday evening that he had decided to step down "in the first few minutes following the tragedy." That same morning, after the Council of Ministers meeting, he had presented an "extraordinary plan to strengthen the safety of the high-speed rail network" and a support system for survivors and the families of the victims. He asserted that he had neither made nor omitted any political decisions that contributed to causing the accident.

Sánchez welcomes Puente's choice

Pedro Sánchez praised his close associate's decision on X: "Óscar Puente took responsibility, offered solutions, and then chose to step down. Out of dignity. Out of his own volition. Out of respect for the victims and for the progressive project." The Prime Minister also defended his minister, contrasting his commitment with the attitude of his political opponents. The minister had already been criticized by the opposition after the January disaster.

The People's Party, for its part, deemed the resignation too late. Its spokesperson, Ester Muñoz, reacted on X: "On November 29th, we have a moral obligation to remove Sánchez from the government so that we can rebuild Spain." The members of parliament before whom the minister spoke were meeting in a reduced session since the dissolution announced ahead of the snap elections.