Former Spanish president Rajoy bows out of politics

Ousted leader will apply to return to previous job as property registrar once resignation is made formal

Former Spanish president Mariano Rajoy on day of resignation as People's Party leader (by ACN)
Former Spanish president Mariano Rajoy on day of resignation as People's Party leader (by ACN) / ACN

ACN | Madrid

June 15, 2018 07:12 PM

The former Spanish president, Mariano Rajoy, on Friday gave up his post as an MP, after he lost a vote of no-confidence on June 1 and was replaced by Socialist leader, Pedro Sánchez. According to Rajoy’s People’s Party (PP), the former president will apply to return to his former occupation as a property registrar once his resignation as an MP is formalized.

On June 5, Rajoy informed the national executive committee of the PP that he was resigning as the head of the party and that he intended to give up politics. Following his announcement, the party’s national governing board called the party’s 19th congress on July 20 and 21 to choose a new leader.

Mariano Rajoy was ousted as Spanish president on Friday following a parliamentary no-confidence motion triggered by a corruption scandal. Catalan pro-independence parties were instrumental in putting an end to Rajoy’s rule and appointing Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez in his place.

All eyes are now on the most likely candidates for the succession as leader of the PP. This includes former vice president Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría, who was in charge of Spain’s direct rule in Catalonia, María Dolores de Cospedal, PP secretary general and defense minister, and also Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the regional president of Galicia, among others.