Alberto Núñez Feijóo spent the weekend campaigning for the upcoming November 29 election by targeting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s administration over railway safety and political corruption, while unveiling policy promises that include a commitment to construct one million homes and tie pension adjustments strictly to inflation.
Following a period of national mourning over a fatal train accident in Urda, the leader of the Partido Popular delivered speeches in Valladolid on Saturday before traveling south to Málaga on Sunday. Across both events, Feijóo interspersed sharp rebukes of government officials with measured electoral pledges, telling crowds that young Spaniards require a reliable pact to ensure the long-term viability of the public pension system.
The opposition leader opened his remarks in front of cheering supporters by addressing the recent rail disaster, which he categorized not as an isolated tragedy but as the result of persistent administrative negligence. He explicitly invoked the memory of Fátima Báñez alongside the incidents in Urda and Adamuz, asserting that the current administration’s campaign strategy is designed to deflect attention from eight years of governance failures.
What they want is for this campaign to serve to forget what they have passed these eight years,
Feijóo told attendees. I am not going to forget the victims, of Urda, of Adamuz, or of the people who have to get on the train, especially here in Andalusia.
Feijóo carga contra Sánchez y pide "recuperar la decencia": "Le hemos visto comparecer por asuntos gravísimos y terminar hablando de sus gafas. Conocimos antes su música que los Presupuestos. Le hemos visto hablar de sexo en programas antes que dar explicaciones"… pic.twitter.com/Lzhr9yg6OB
The PP president expanded his criticisms to encompass several prominent political figures tied to recent controversies. He stated that he would not overlook the actions of José Luis Ábalos, Koldo García, Santos Cerdán, Leire Díez, or former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, while placing ultimate responsibility on Pedro Sánchez for appointing them to their positions.
Feijóo Promises Railway Audit and Executive Bonus Returns
Detailing his alternative platform, Feijóo promised a rigorous, inch-by-inch audit of Spain’s railway network if he assumes power. He vowed to dedicate state funds directly to inspecting infrastructure, tracks, and catenary lines rather than issuing financial bonuses to managerial staff at Adif, the state railway infrastructure manager. He demanded that the government force officials to return recent executive bonuses approved shortly after the Toledo accident, calling those payouts vomitive.
In addition to infrastructure oversight, Feijóo made a definitive moral commitment regarding legal accountability. He pledged that a government under his leadership would never grant a pardon to any politician convicted of corruption offenses, drawing a sharp line against individuals who misappropriate public funds.
Turning his focus to the Prime Minister’s campaign style, Feijóo characterized Sánchez’s public appearances as frivolous. He contrasted what he described as government-backed spectacles, dances, and international distractions with the daily economic realities faced by citizens trying to afford basic grocery items.
Less looking outside and more occupying ourselves with the problems of Spain,
Feijóo said, urging the administration to focus on domestic infrastructure and the cost of living rather than foreign elections.
Andalusia President Criticizes Outdated Rail Safety Systems
Feijóo was joined on the campaign trail by Juanma Moreno, the president of the regional government of Andalusia. Moreno maintained a combative stance against national authorities, arguing that the region had been unfairly treated in transport investments. Moreno pointed specifically to the rail corridor connecting to Andalusia, noting that it retained an older, thirty-year-old safety system known as LZB rather than receiving necessary modern upgrades.
Moreno also drew parallels to the handling of past climate emergencies, questioning the speed of executive responses during the severe flooding associated with the DANA storm systems.
Closing his address in Málaga, Feijóo emphasized that his objective for the November 29 vote is to build broad consensus rather than force governance against the outcome of the ballot box. Alluding to his position as the candidate of the most-voted list in the inconclusive 2023 general election, he concluded that the time for political theater has ended and that the country requires a return to administrative rigor and institutional respect.
