Emotions remain high in Spain after the tragic railway accident in Adamuz (Adamuz). Official mourning has quickly turned into a political storm: the opposition, not waiting for the period of grief to end, launched harsh criticism at Transport Minister Óscar Puente, accusing him of lying and demanding his immediate resignation. They claim that the catastrophe occurred as a direct result of concealed information about the state of the tracks. At the heart of the scandal lies a pressing question: who bears responsibility for the deaths of dozens, and why, according to the opposition, is the government trying to hide the truth?
Puente, known for his sharp remarks on social media, found himself at the center of a political crossfire. Oriol Junqueras, leader of the Catalan ERC party, joined calls for the minister’s resignation and sharply criticized Catalonia’s government advisor Sílvia Paneque, accusing her of failing to resolve the crisis on the Rodalies commuter railways. In response, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez publicly stood by his minister, insisting that the government is acting with maximum transparency and care for those affected.
Ultimatums and accusations
People’s Party (PP) Secretary Miguel Tellado did not hold back his emotions at the press conference: he accused the government of incompetence and stated that 46 lives were lost due to the authorities’ negligence. According to him, Minister Puente should resign before the upcoming Saturday, when a state funeral for the victims of the accident is scheduled. Tellado used strong language, claiming that the minister’s presence at the ceremony would be an insult to the families of the victims.
Previous tragedies also resurfaced, with memories still fresh of the Valencia disaster that took 229 lives. Minister Puente tried to distance himself from such comparisons, emphasizing that unlike his predecessors, he did not hide during difficult times. However, the opposition remains unyielding: members of the PP and the far-right Vox party accuse the government of covering up information, manipulating the facts, and trying to polish its image in the wake of the tragedy.
The minister’s response
Óscar Puente did not stay silent and responded to the accusations in his characteristic style—via social media. He categorically rejected claims that the damaged rail was old, providing photos and certificates to prove it was a new section of track. The minister called the circulating information ‘fake’ and accused the opposition of deliberately distorting facts for political gain.
At the same time, political circles are debating how long this attack on the minister will last and whether it could signal the start of a larger campaign against the entire government. Other railway disasters that occurred under previous administrations are also recalled, hinting at double standards in the way such tragedies are assessed.
Political stakes
Tensions are rising ahead of the upcoming elections in Aragón, Castile and León, and Andalusia. Both the socialists and the conservatives are using the Adamuz tragedy as ammunition in the election race. PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo initially adopted a wait-and-see approach, but under pressure from the party’s radical wing and the far right, he switched to tougher rhetoric, demanding immediate explanations and solutions.
Madrid President Isabel Díaz Ayuso also weighed in, supporting calls for the minister’s resignation and calling the railway situation ‘scandalous.’ Vox, for its part, links the tragedy to corruption scandals involving former ministers, stressing that the current authorities are incapable of ensuring citizens’ safety.
The shadow of past tragedies
Recalling the Angrois disaster, which occurred while PP was in power, political opponents point to selective criticism and attempts to use tragedies as leverage against rivals. Inside the People’s Party itself, disputes are intensifying: some demand immediate and tough measures, while others urge caution to avoid repeating past mistakes.
Meanwhile, public distrust of official statements is growing. Families of the victims and those affected are demanding transparency and an honest investigation, while political battles are only fueling the fire. With new elections ahead, the railway tragedy has already become the main trump card for the opposition. The future of Minister Puente remains uncertain, and the political storm is only gaining momentum.
