Spanish economy minister takes over transport ministry after deadly crash

Spain’s Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo, will run the country’s Transport Ministry until the Nov. 29 election following the resignation of Óscar Puente, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Wednesday morning. Cuerpo, who is also the country’s first deputy prime minister, “has shown huge management skills” in the current legislature, Sánchez said in an address.

Cuerpo has been a rising figure in Sánchez’s government. A technocrat who served as secretary general of the Treasury under Nadia Calviño while she was economy minister, he took over her portfolio when she was elected to lead the European Investment Bank. Sánchez later promoted him to be his first deputy.

Puente resigned on Tuesday over the Oct. 28 train crash in Toledo province that killed 69 people, calling his decision “a matter of political dignity.” It was Spain’s second deadly rail disaster this year after January’s accident in Adamuz, which killed 46 people. “With his resignation, Óscar is contributing to Spain gaining back its confidence not only in our railway system, but also in political dignity,” Sánchez said.