Óscar Puente’s decision to leave his post as transport minister following a train accident in the province of Toledo makes him the third Socialist member of a government led by Pedro Sánchez to resign since 2018. The two previous cases were Màxim Huerta and Carmen Montón.
Other ministerial departures under Sánchez have resulted from general or partial cabinet reshuffles. Some ministers also left to take up roles at international organisations or to stand in regional elections.
Huerta resigned as culture and sport minister on June 13, 2018, a week after his appointment. His departure came after reports that he had been penalised by Spain’s tax authorities for failing to pay €218,000 in tax for 2006, 2007 and 2008 through a company. The Madrid High Court of Justice described the conduct as “voluntary and culpable.”
Montón resigned as health minister on September 11, 2018, after elDiario.es reported irregularities concerning a master’s degree she had taken at Rey Juan Carlos University. The university said it had changed her grades and would review her academic record. Montón denied wrongdoing and said she was stepping down so the controversy would not affect the government.
Other resignations included those of Unidas Podemos members of the first coalition government. Pablo Iglesias left his post as second deputy prime minister in 2021 to lead his party’s list in the Madrid regional election. Universities Minister Manuel Castells resigned in December 2021 for health reasons.
Sources: elDiario.es.