After Adamuz disaster, Spain faces political storm, calls for resignations

A political storm is brewing in Spain following the tragic train accident in Adamuz, Córdoba, which claimed dozens of lives. Opposition leaders have intensified pressure on the government, demanding immediate accountability and explanations, with the ruling administration facing scrutiny over alleged mismanagement and delayed responses.

On January 26, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, head of the opposition People’s Party, announced plans to summon Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to the Senate for a public briefing on the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Leveraging their absolute majority in the upper house, the party could convene a special session as early as this week, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Meanwhile, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the Madrid Community, went further, calling for Sánchez’s immediate resignation, arguing that he bears ultimate responsibility for the incident. Ayuso sharply criticized the president for failing to control the situation and shifting blame onto subordinates.

“Every new incident in the country becomes a reason to look for scapegoats, but the president always remains on the sidelines,” she said. She highlighted past instances where officials with questionable reputations were appointed to key positions, citing the controversial purchase of trains incompatible with existing tunnels.

A tactical rift has emerged within the People’s Party. While the central leadership initially favored cautious rhetoric, regional figures like Ayuso have taken a more confrontational stance. Feijóo, under pressure from party colleagues and public opinion, adopted a firmer tone by January 30. He demanded that Sánchez voluntarily appear before Congress to provide explanations, warning that the PP would push for a separate Senate session if the government did not comply.

The government responded swiftly. On January 24, Sánchez applied to speak in Congress, intending to address both the Adamuz disaster and broader international matters. Opposition leaders, however, viewed the move as an attempt to dilute focus and avoid rigorous questioning. Feijóo called the initiative “a joke,” accusing the prime minister of misleading the public and prolonging scrutiny of the case.

The People’s Party insists that a separate Senate session be devoted exclusively to the railway disaster. “The government is acting arrogantly, providing excessive information and steering the discussion off course,” Feijóo said. He argued that the transport minister should be removed from office and accused Sánchez of protecting him to avoid personal accountability.

Despite internal disagreements over communication strategy, the PP emphasizes unity in its demands. Ayuso stated that while regional leaders may differ in approach, the party acts in a coordinated manner. “The tragedy in Adamuz has become the point of no return for holding top officials politically accountable,” she said.

Feijóo drew historical parallels, recalling previous instances in which ministers and regional officials resigned under public and familial pressure following national tragedies. “The current situation is the most serious in the history of Spain’s high-speed railways, and the lack of response from the leadership is puzzling,” he said.

As the debate over political responsibility intensifies, public pressure on the government continues to grow. Opposition demands now encompass not only the resignation of the transport minister but also that of the prime minister himself. Authorities are attempting to manage the narrative, offering alternative forums for discussion while delaying decisive actions.

By Vafa Guliyeva