Óscar Puente quits Transport and leaves Valladolid election

Óscar Puente quit as Spain's transport minister on 3 November 2026. He also left his role as the PSOE's lead candidate in Valladolid. He spoke after more than four hours in Congress on the Urda train crash.

Two high-speed trains hit near Urda, Toledo, on 28 October. At least 69 people died. The crash came after the January rail disaster at Adamuz, Córdoba. Europa Press put the total from both crashes at 115.

Why he left

Puente said he chose to quit within minutes of the Urda crash. He said he could not stay in office after two grave rail crashes in less than a year.

He did not say his exit proved he was at fault. He linked it to dignity, the need to be true to his words and care for victims. He said he could not stay, whether or not he bore direct blame.

Puente waited until his last turn in Congress to tell the public. He said the most urgent work had to come first. That work was to explain the crash, help victims, start aid and make quick safety changes.

Most opposition groups and several parties that often back the government had asked him to leave. EH Bildu did not. Pedro Sánchez had backed Puente and asked him to stay.

Election race

Puente also left the top slot on the PSOE list in Valladolid. The general election is set for 29 November. He thanked Sánchez for his trust and urged left-wing voters to back him.

The move came after the government had stood by Puente and ruled out his exit. Puente told Sánchez just before he spoke in Congress, HuffPost España said.

His time in office

Puente took charge of transport in November 2023, after Raquel Sánchez. His term saw many rail faults and a row over Talgo's Avril trains.

Renfe and the state sought almost €170 million from Talgo over flaws in that fleet. The government also stopped Magyar Wagon from buying Talgo. It cited national security.

Before joining the cabinet, Puente was mayor of Valladolid from June 2015 to May 2023. He joined the PSOE in 1990 and became a councillor in 2007.

The two crashes and Puente's exit have put rail safety at the heart of the vote. Work to find the cause of the Urda crash is still under way. His exit does not settle who was at fault.

Sources: Diario de Sevilla, Andalucía Información, HuffPost España and Europa Press.