Spain’s Economy Minister and First Deputy Prime Minister Carlos Cuerpo will take charge of the Transport Ministry until the Nov. 29 election, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on Wednesday. The appointment follows Óscar Puente’s resignation after a deadly train crash in Toledo province.
Sánchez praised Cuerpo’s management abilities during the current legislature. Cuerpo previously served as secretary general of the Treasury under Nadia Calviño. He took over the economy portfolio after Calviño was elected to lead the European Investment Bank, and Sánchez later made him first deputy prime minister.
Puente resigned on Tuesday over the Oct. 28 crash, which killed 69 people. He described his decision as “a matter of political dignity.” The disaster was Spain’s second deadly rail accident this year; a January crash in Adamuz killed 46 people.
Sánchez said Puente’s resignation would help restore confidence in both the country’s railway system and political dignity.
Sources: Politico Europe.