The minister said he had taken the decision after the 28 October collision, which killed 69 people, but remained in office to manage its consequences. His announcement followed two deadly rail accidents in less than a year.
According to Europa Press and AFP, he is also withdrawing from the Socialist candidate lists for the 29 November election. The Popular Party considers his departure insufficient and challenges Pedro Sánchez’s political responsibility. Those reactions are not judicial findings on the collision’s causes.