Five thousand supporters packed the Cabanyal pavilion in Valencia on Friday night, forcing the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) to close doors early as crowds spilled onto the street. The massive turnout came a week after the deadly train derailment in Urda, Toledo, as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez returned to the campaign trail to defend the honor of his former transport minister, Óscar Puente.
Sánchez, the PSOE leader and Spanish prime minister, used the Valencia rally to reiterate his support for Puente, who resigned from his post on Tuesday night following revelations in the “Koldo” case. The prime minister highlighted what he called the “dignity and exemplariness” of the former Valladolid politician, emphasizing that the government handled the situation with transparency.
“We have faced this with absolute transparency and have assumed political responsibility by resigning a great politician like Óscar Puente,” Sánchez stated. He contrasted Puente’s actions with those of the Popular Party (PP), claiming the opposition has never been capable of taking similar responsibility in past tragedies.
The rally began with a minute of silence for the victims of the Urda train disaster. Sánchez praised his administration’s crisis management and asserted that his government had to reverse “15 years of cuts by the Popular Party” in infrastructure, referencing Mariano Rajoy’s rise to power in 2011.
Ministers Rally Behind Puente Amid Public Support
The defense of Puente was echoed by other key figures at the event. Diana Morant, the Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, praised Puente’s character, prompting the crowd to chant “Óscar, Óscar!” in response. The public display of solidarity highlighted the PSOE’s defense of Óscar Puente after his resignation.
Sánchez framed the Urda tragedy as a lesson in the importance of public services. He argued that the election presents voters with a clear choice: “to reinforce what is public or to cut what is public.” He criticized the far-right Vox party and the PP, describing their approach as a “chainsaw” aimed at dismantling public infrastructure and services.
The prime minister’s speech was not limited to the domestic crisis. He invoked recent progressive victories in Brazil and the United States, arguing that if social democracy could triumph over the far right in those countries, “it can also be done in Spain.” He pointed to his government’s international stances, such as leading denunciations of the Israeli genocide in Palestine and acting as a lightning rod for attacks from figures like Donald Trump and Javier Milei.
“If for many years we have been a beacon for many, how can we not be now,” Sánchez emphasized, linking Spain’s role on the global stage to its domestic political choices.
Valencia Rally Shows Socialist Base’s Enthusiasm
The venue’s capacity was exceeded more than 30 minutes before the rally began, forcing organizers to close the doors and turn away as many people as they let in. Screens were set up outside for those who could not get inside, and socialist sources reported a total of 5,000 attendees both inside and outside the pavilion.
Sánchez was met with the familiar chants of “Pedro, Pedro!” as he entered the venue. The atmosphere was further amplified by the crowd singing along to the lyrics of “Com no te vaig a estimar?” by the Valencian band La Fúmiga, a recurring element in the PSOE’s “love of the socialists” campaign.
Sánchez was preceded by Pilar Bernabé, the former government delegate, the PSOE’s candidate for the Valencia constituency and candidate for mayor of Valencia, and by Morant, who is also the candidate for the presidency of the Generalitat. Bernabé delivered the most pointed remarks, criticizing the former head of the Council Carlos Mazón and his management of the funds. The crowd responded with chants of “Mazón to prison!” reflecting the intensity of the political rivalry.
Upcoming General Elections Set for November 29
The rally in Valencia serves as a key moment in the pre-campaign period for Spain’s general elections, scheduled for November 29.
The Urda disaster and the subsequent resignation of Óscar Puente are expected to remain central themes as the election draws closer.
