Spain’s Cuerpo to run Transport Ministry after Puente quits over fatal train crashes

Madrid, Spain. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Wednesday that Carlos Cuerpo, his deputy, will temporarily take charge of the Transport Ministry following the resignation of Oscar Puente over two fatal high-speed train crashes this year. Puente stepped down six days after the second accident, leaving the governing Socialists to contest an election campaign without one of their most combative yet divisive figures.

Sanchez’s address

In a short televised statement, Sanchez commended Puente’s political dignity and said the decision had helped restore public trust in the rail network. Cuerpo, who is also Spain’s economy minister, was described by the prime minister this way: “Cuerpo has shown in this legislature an enormous capacity for management and integrity.”

Related: Spanish Transport Minister Puente Faces Lawmakers as Government Prepares Aid for Train Crash Victims

RelatedSpanish Transport Minister Puente Faces Lawmakers as Government Prepares Aid for Train Crash Victims

After Puente’s announcement, Sanchez also said that politicians of his kind bring honour to Spain and demonstrate that not all public figures are alike. He added that some people only lecture others, while others commit themselves fully.

How the resignation unfolded

Puente surprised lawmakers on Tuesday night by quietly announcing his departure. This came after a tense four-hour session of questioning by members of a caretaker parliamentary body. Most parties at the session demanded that he accept responsibility for the two rail disasters, which together killed 115 people.

One of Sanchez’s most loyal and prominent ministers, Puente had earlier pledged to remain in post to deal with the investigation into last week’s crash and to correct weaknesses in the system. Both the opposition and coalition partners had widely urged him to leave. On Tuesday, the 57-year-old revealed that he had actually made up his mind immediately after the crash at Urda, in central Spain. He told only his family and did not inform even Sanchez.

Political impact

Independent political analyst Eduardo Bayon said the resignation took away the main target of the opposition People’s Party (PP). In his view, it moved the debate away from who should leave office and toward what action should be taken.

“The government needs to fill that void with concrete railway security and investment measures – trust in high-speed rail will remain a campaign topic,” Bayon added.