A new political storm is brewing in Spain: Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has unexpectedly requested an urgent address to Congress. The reason is a series of high-profile railway accidents that have shaken the country in recent weeks. The tragedies in Adamuz and Gelida have not only stirred public outrage, but also sparked harsh criticism from the opposition. People’s Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo accused Sánchez of ‘disappearing’ at the height of the crisis and demanded the government openly admit its mistakes.
In response to mounting pressure, representatives of the People’s Party announced plans to seek an extraordinary Congress session with the participation of Sánchez and Transport Minister Óscar Puente. For this, they will need an absolute majority of votes, as the parliamentary recess will last until the second week of February. The initiative has been joined by other political groups, including Vox and Junts, who are insisting on a public report on the rail situation and the recent incidents on the Rodalíes line.
Political Pressure
While the opposition prepares its offensive, the government has decided not to wait for an official summons. La Moncloa has already filed its own request for an emergency appearance by Sánchez to present its version of events and explain the causes of the rail disruptions. Authorities also intend to highlight details from recent international forums where transport security and EU cooperation were discussed.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente, who has found himself at the center of the scandal, confirmed that three new diagnostic trains have yet to be put into operation. At the same time, he called media reports about technical problems ‘fake.’ However, these statements failed to convince the opposition, which is demanding not only explanations, but also the release of all documentation regarding contracts and investigations related to the rail sector.
International context
The situation was further complicated by the fact that, due to the accidents, Sánchez had to cancel several international meetings, including his participation in the Davos economic forum, where he was scheduled to meet with Donald Trump. This decision raised additional questions among politicians and experts: does it point to the seriousness of the crisis within the country?
At the same time, the government is trying to link the discussion of railway problems with the outcomes of the recent European Union leaders’ summit in Brussels, where the focus was on global challenges and strengthening transatlantic relations. According to the opposition, this approach only dilutes responsibility and distracts from specific management failures in the transport system.
Public expectations
Public opinion is divided. Some demand immediate personnel changes and reforms, while others fear that political disputes will delay the search for the real causes of the accidents. Meanwhile, the Partido Popular has submitted 65 parliamentary questions concerning technical aspects of railway operations and has requested all documentation related to contracts that might be linked to corruption schemes in the ministries.
The question of who will be held accountable for the tragedies in Adamuz and Želida remains unresolved. Sánchez must not only provide exhaustive explanations, but also convince society that the government is capable of handling the crisis. Otherwise, the political consequences could prove far more serious than they first appear.
