Rajoy leaves the political front line

USPA NEWS - Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has seen how his life has changed in less than a week. On Friday, he was overthrown by a no-confidence vote that gave the Government of Spain to the Socialist Party and that same day a wave of voices claimed a change in the direction of the conservative Popular Party. On Tuesday, before the leaders of his party, Rajoy announced his retirement.

For many, including opposition leaders like the secretary general of the extreme left party Podemos, Pablo Iglesias, who showed him his "respect" and admiration, Rajoy has been the best Prime Minister of the recent Spanish democratic history. Although his management focused on the economy due to the crisis of 2008 and the state in which the conservatives found the accounts of the Government when they came to power after the stage of the socialist José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, it was precisely his ability to recover the economy, increase wealth, reduce unemployment, contain spending and consolidate Spain's relationship with Europe, its best guarantee and the main legacy left to its successor, the socialist Pedro Sánchez. That management has earned him the recognition of his political rivals - in addition to Pablo Iglesias, the Basque nationalists and prominent leaders of the Socialist Party - who, however, criticize his way of acting against the Catalan independence movement and the social policies of his Government.

On Tuesday, before the leaders of his party, Rajoy announced that he leaves the leadership of the conservatives and withdraws from the political front. "It's the best thing for me, for my party and for Spain," he said. “For more than 30 years, I have served the Popular Party,“ added Rajoy. “in different positions and institutions, for none I have fought to displace anyone and I have always fulfilled my duty. The time has come to put an end to this stage.“ And sayd: “I thank the militants for their loyalty and Spaniards for their trust and affection. It has been a real pride and an honor to be at your disposal and serve my country.“

Rajoy appealed to the conservatives to elect a good leader in an extraordinary Congress: “I am sure will face the future with energy, enthusiasm and the support of all. I will continue with my card and order from the first minute,“ added. And warned other parties: “Always count on the PP in defense of the general interest. I am sure that together we will soon return to Govern to give Spain and its people the future they deserve.“