The president of the Popular Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has expressed his sorrow over the death of the president of the CEOE Foundation and former Minister of Employment and Social Security in PP governments, Fátima Báñez, who lost her life in the railway accident recorded this Wednesday in the province of Toledo.
"With enormous sadness we have been informed that Fátima Báñez is one of those who died in the train accident in Urda (Toledo). She was a tireless woman, a loyal friend and always committed to improving the lives of Spaniards," Feijóo conveyed in a message on the social network X, reported by Europa Press.
The former minister, 59, was traveling in one of the seats of the Iryo that this Wednesday was struck by an AVE train from Renfe. Both trains had departed from Madrid bound for Seville, the city to which Báñez was heading to speak at a business event of the Andalusian employers' association.
Since the accident occurred, both the CEOE employers' association and the PP were awaiting news about the former minister, seeing how hopes faded as the hours passed.
"The entire Popular Party mourns her loss together with her husband, her children and all the people who loved her. We will honor her memory and that of all the victims. Rest in peace," said the leader of the 'populars'.
Reactions of the regional presidents of the PP
The president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, lamented that Spain "loses a great political woman," whom she evoked as "cheerful, willing, capable, and such a good person": "What tremendous sorrow the death of Fátima Báñez in the train accident causes us, we are going to miss her very much".
"She was an extraordinary person, a brilliant woman, a leader, capable, a good person and always committed to Andalusia and to Spain. Her loss hurts me deeply. Rest in peace, friend. I will always remember you with a smile," said the Andalusian president, Juanma Moreno.
The president of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, has sent all his "affection" to Báñez's family, friends and colleagues, whom he described as "a noble person, approachable and of great heart": "I feel a deep pain for the loss of my dear friend Fátima Báñez. Ceuta always found her by its side when it needed her. Rest in peace".
"It is difficult to come to terms with what happened and to write these words. I was expecting to meet Fátima Báñez today in Madrid to take part with her in a CEOE event. I deeply regret her death in the tragic accident in Urda," said the president of Extremadura, María Guardiola, stressing that Báñez "dedicated a large part of her life to public service, and she always did so with a firm commitment to Spain".
The head of the Murcian Executive, Fernando López Miras, has also received the news of the death "with great sadness" of "an tireless, intelligent and approachable woman, whose commitment to Spain has been and will be an example for everyone": "My condolences and affection to her family, and to the entire Partido Popular, today we mourn her loss".
"Fátima was a strong woman, approachable, tireless worker, always sensitive and committed to the general interest, and devoted to her land, Andalucía, where she was headed. I keep the memory of our last conversation, Hispanic Day, always attentive, always encouraging, always cheering on," recalled the Balearic president, Marga Prohens.
For his part, the president of Aragón, Jorge Azcón, emphasized that the former minister was "an extraordinary person, a great colleague and an exemplary politician, whose commitment to Spain will always be a reference for all of us".
"Very sad upon confirmation of the death of my friend Fátima Báñez in the Urda railway accident. She was an extraordinary minister and always demonstrated her commitment to Castilla y León and all Spaniards through her work and effort. A big hug and all my affection and condolences to her family, friends and colleagues," said the president of Castilla y León, Alfonso Fernández Mañueco.
National and organizational PP leaders join the condolences
The secretary general of the PP, Miguel Tellado, has received the news "with great sadness" and has conveyed his "condolences, affection and strength" to Báñez's loved ones and to the rest of the victims of the railway accident. "A magnificent person and an extraordinary public servant has left us; only good politicians can take pride in leaving a country better than the one they found and Fátima was one of them," he stated.
"A great manager, a brave reformist, a stateswoman and one of the kindest, noblest and most affectionate people I have known. Rest in peace, dear Fátima," wrote on X the deputy and PP's 'number two' for Madrid in Congress, Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo.
The PP of Huelva has likewise joined the expressions of mourning and has "deeply" regretted the death of its "honorary president". A native of San Juan del Puerto in Huelva, Minister of Employment and "a benchmark for everyone", she leaves "an indelible mark on the party". "Our affection and support to her family and friends. Rest in Peace, Fátima", the provincial organization has said.
Fátima Báñez’s career in politics and business
Báñez served as president of the CEOE Foundation since July 2020, a responsibility she took on almost two years after leaving the Ministry of Employment.
Born in Huelva in 1967, she was Minister of Employment and Social Security between December 2011 and June 2018, during Mariano Rajoy’s government.
She took on the labor reform approved by the PP in 2012, heavily questioned by trade union organizations and against which a general strike was called with the aim of forcing its repeal.
The former minister left politics in March 2019 to join the private sector, where she was an independent director at Rovi and external director of Iberdrola Energía Internacional. Previously, she was an independent director at Avangrid, Iberdrola’s U.S. subsidiary, which she joined after being part of the board of the electric company’s Mexican subsidiary.
With a degree in Law and in Economics and Business Studies from the Universidad Pontificia de Comillas, before taking over the Employment portfolio she briefly held, in an acting capacity, the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality, between August and November 2016.
She was a deputy for Huelva in Congress between 2000 and 2019, where she carried out important responsibilities in the economic area of the Popular Group and came to chair the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Lower House (2018-2019).
Previously, between November 1997 and June 2000, she was a member of the Board of Directors of Radio Televisión de Andalucía.
She began her professional career in the family business as Head of Strategy and Corporate Development (1993-1997), returning in November 2019 to private activity as a consultant and business adviser.