A new political conflict is flaring up in Spain following two recent railway disasters that claimed dozens of lives. People’s Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo delivered a harsh critique of the government, accusing it of failing to ensure safety on the country’s high-speed railways. His statement came immediately after the official mourning period ended, at a time when society was still reeling from shock.
Feijóo did not stop at general accusations. He explicitly stated that the tragedies in Córdoba and Barcelona were not random incidents, but a troubling sign of systemic problems in state management. According to him, the accidents were the result of a “collapse” in the operation of public services, and the state of the railways reflects the overall situation in the country.
Responsibility and fear
In his speech, Feijóo emphasized that the responsibility for what happened lies with Pedro Sánchez. He demanded that the Prime Minister personally provide explanations at an extraordinary session of Congress. Otherwise, he said, the People’s Party would initiate a similar hearing in the Senate, where it holds a majority.
The opposition leader stopped short of calling for the immediate resignation of the Transport Minister, but indicated that this issue could be raised soon. He also noted that during the mourning period he refrained from public attacks on the government, but now believes it is necessary to seek answers and accountability.
Distrust and unrest
Feijóo did not hide the gravity of the situation. He stated that after the catastrophe in Adamuz, many Spaniards developed a fear of traveling by train. In his view, the government’s actions only increased this anxiety: the introduction of speed restrictions on certain railway sections, he said, gave further cause for concern.
“People want to know if it’s safe to board a train now,” Feijóo noted. He emphasized that uncertainty and the lack of clear explanations from officials are only fueling public anxiety. In his opinion, the government’s response to the tragedies was chaotic and unconvincing.
Unanswered questions
Feijóo was particularly outraged by the lack of clear information on the causes of both disasters. He reminded that there is still no unified version regarding the Iryo train derailment and the wall collapse onto a Rodalies commuter train. Despite the release of a preliminary report by the investigation commission, which named a broken rail weld as the cause of the Adamuz accident, the opposition leader believes the government is not revealing the full truth.
Feijóo accused Sánchez of being “absent” during the critical days following the tragedies. According to him, mourning cannot be an excuse for secrecy and lack of information. He also recalled that the Prime Minister addressed the press only twice on this issue—first in Adamuz and later in Brussels.
Political pressure
The People’s Party believes that the current situation requires not only explanations, but also concrete actions. Feijoo stated that talks are already underway with other parliamentary groups to organize an extraordinary session of Congress. If the government refuses, the opposition will use its majority in the Senate to hold hearings.
The opposition leader emphasized that responsibility for the ‘chaos’ on the railways rests with the head of government. He made it clear that he does not intend to limit criticism to the Minister of Transport, but will seek answers directly from Sánchez. According to him, the country cannot afford to ignore such large-scale tragedies and must get answers to all questions.
Public resonance
Feijoo’s remarks sparked a strong reaction in society. Many Spaniards are genuinely concerned about the state of the railway infrastructure and demand transparency from the authorities. At the same time, some citizens believe the opposition is using tragedies for political purposes to increase pressure on the government.
The question of railway safety remains unresolved. While the authorities have yet to provide comprehensive explanations, mistrust and anxiety among the public are only growing. The political battle over this issue seems to be just beginning.
