Feijóo demands Sánchez and Puente resign over Urda rail crash that has left 69 dead

Friday's appearance in Génova

Alberto Núñez Feijóo spoke at the Partido Popular headquarters in Madrid on Friday, 30 October, after a morning meeting with 15 rail experts, some from inside the party and some from outside it. He opened by offering condolences to the victims of the crash near Urda in Toledo province, which has left at least 69 dead. According to his team, several of the technicians preferred not to appear publicly because of possible professional consequences. Feijóo also pointed to the Adamuz crash in Córdoba, saying 46 people had died there because of poor maintenance by the Government.

Resignation demands

Feijóo accused the Government of having abandoned the safety culture and of failing to renew an obsolete safety system before the Urda accident. He called for Transport Minister Óscar Puente to step down, arguing that the minister must bear the consequences of failing in his duty, while Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez carries more responsibility for appointing and keeping him. Campaign spokespeople Ester Muñoz and Borja Sémper had already demanded Puente's resignation before Feijóo spoke at midday. Feijóo also said Sánchez had not even called the leader of the opposition to inform him in real time. Asked about Vox, which has not suspended its campaign, he said each party answers for its own conduct.

“Whoever has failed in their duty must bear the consequences, and whoever appointed and kept him, even more so.”

He closed by warning that voters would force the government's leaders out if they did not resign first.

“If they do not resign, we will force them out at the ballot box.”

A reset of the rail network

Feijóo promised a 'total reset' of a network he described as being in critical condition. His plan includes an independent technical audit of the whole system, an audit of management and spending, and a strengthened safety department at Renfe and Adif, which he said cannot remain led by incompetent people. He also said conservation would take priority over new works in the coming years, and that an emergency plan would be the first task of the next transport ministry if the PP reaches government.

“If we have to stop inaugurating a line, if we have to slow down, if we have to halt a line, I will do it.”

On the Madrid-Barcelona high-speed line, Feijóo questioned Puente's remarks about suspending service. He asked how Puente, who had earlier said that corridor could exceed 350 km/h, could now see it shut. Feijóo also said the Madrid-Andalucía line, the oldest high-speed line in Spain, would be included in his work plan for an analysis of its track, because its safety system has failed repeatedly.

Timeline and election context

The sequence of the day, as the articles describe it, is shown below.

Feijóo also promised an internal investigation to establish responsibility for the Adamuz and Urda accidents. The general election is set for 29 November, and Feijóo is the PP candidate for prime minister.