Spanish society is still reeling from the shock of the devastating train crash in Adamuz, which claimed 45 lives. Amid the national mourning, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez made a surprising and bold statement at his first rally in Aragón, where he not only expressed his condolences but also firmly defended Transport Minister Óscar Puente. His remarks sounded like a challenge to his opponents and sparked a new wave of political disagreement.
Sánchez did not limit himself to standard words of support. He emphasized that the transport minister ‘did not hide,’ but from the very first moments of the tragedy personally coordinated the emergency services’ response. According to the prime minister, it was thanks to the coordinated efforts of the agencies and local authorities that even worse consequences were averted. Nonetheless, there were also hints toward the opposition: Sánchez subtly jabbed at his political rivals, alluding to their ineffectiveness in similar situations.
Heated politics
The atmosphere in the hall where the rally was held was tense. The audience listened carefully to every word from the head of government, and many hoped he would address the pressing questions troubling the entire country. Sánchez, however, focused on unity and solidarity, calling on people not to give in to provocations or to turn the tragedy into a political tool.
The Prime Minister paid special attention to the residents of Adamus and Barcelona, where another train driver lost his life this week. He expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and thanked everyone involved in the aftermath of the accident. According to him, it is moments like these that highlight the importance of community solidarity and the professionalism of public servants.
Response from the opposition
However, not everyone received Sánchez’s words positively. In the corridors of the rally, debates immediately began: did the Minister of Transport do everything possible, or is the government trying to cover up the scandal? Some opposition members have already accused the authorities of lacking transparency and trying to shift responsibility.
Without naming names, Sánchez drew parallels with previous governments’ actions during other disasters—from the flood in Valencia to devastating fires in Galicia, Castile and León, and Extremadura. In his view, the current team is acting in a coordinated and transparent manner, and the victims of the tragedy always remain at the center of attention.
Catalan factor
The Prime Minister also addressed the situation in Catalonia, where dissatisfaction with the quality of transport services intensified following the accident on the Rodalies (commuter trains) line. Sánchez assured that the government is working “day and night” together with the Catalonian authorities to restore safe and adequate service for all residents of the region. He stressed that such incidents should not become a reason for division, but rather call for joint effort.
At that moment, the hall erupted in applause, though part of the audience was clearly dissatisfied. Some activists demanded more concrete measures and guarantees that such tragedies would not happen again. Nevertheless, the prime minister chose not to delve into details, limiting himself to assurances of the government’s effectiveness.
International context
Unexpectedly, Sánchez shifted to international topics, sharply criticizing Donald Trump’s policies and what he called “transatlantic despotism.” He stated that Spain would not allow others to impose foreign rules and would defend its interests on equal footing with other European countries. At this point, he took a jab at VOX leader Santiago Abascal, calling him “Trump’s lackey” and accusing him of lacking an independent position.
This rhetoric sparked a heated reaction in the hall: some supported the prime minister, while others found his words excessively harsh. Nonetheless, Sánchez made it clear that he does not intend to give in to pressure, either inside the country or from abroad.
Miting finale
PSOE candidate Pilar Alegría also delivered an emotional speech, thanking everyone who supported the victims and their families. She emphasized that the memory of those who died would remain forever, and the tragedy should serve as a lesson for all. According to her, the election campaign should be conducted with dignity, without exploiting human grief.
The rally gathered around a thousand supporters, with another two hundred unable to enter due to limited capacity. Alegría promised to continue meeting with residents of towns and villages to personally listen to their problems and suggestions. In conclusion, she urged everyone not to stand aside and to be sure to vote, stating that, in her words, “the future of the country depends on each of us.”
