Madrid, Nov. 4 (SANA) Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez named Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo interim transport minister Wednesday after Oscar Puente resigned over two deadly train crashes that killed 115 people, weeks before Spain‘s November 29 general election.
Puente announced his resignation Tuesday after four hours of parliamentary questioning over the disasters, including an October 28 collision near Toledo that killed 69 people. An earlier crash in January claimed 46 lives.
In a televised address, Sanchez praised Puente’s decision as an act of political dignity and commended Cuerpo’s management capabilities and integrity.
The resignation deprives the ruling Socialists of a prominent but polarizing figure during an election campaign overshadowed by railway safety concerns.
Resignation amid political pressure
Puente faced criticism from opposition parties and unions over railway maintenance, safety and disruptions. A Senate motion had demanded his resignation in February following an earlier fatal crash.
Opposition People’s Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo urged Sanchez to follow Puente’s example and resign.
Puente, who had pledged to oversee the crash investigation, said he would not contest the November 29 election. His resignation takes effect upon publication in the official gazette.
Deadly collision raises safety concerns
The October 28 crash occurred near Urda, about 130 kilometers south of Madrid, when a high-speed train operated by state-owned Renfe struck a stationary train belonging to private operator Iryo.
Authorities said a safety system failure had halted trains along a 63-kilometer section of track before a control center authorized the Renfe train to resume its journey.
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