After fall of Rajoy, Spain conservatives pick new leader

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Spain's conservatives pick a new leader Saturday after ex-Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy was ousted.

Speaking for the last time as the Popular Party (PP) leader, the 63-year-old politician vowed loyalty to his party in an emotional farewell on Friday.

In a long, emotional speech, he asked PP members to "be responsible for carrying out your duties."

October 16, 2017: Spain's Deputy PM Soraya Saenz de Santamaria speaks during a news conference at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain. /VCG Photo

Now in the opposition, the Party members have to choose a new leader between Soraya Saenz de Santamaria, 47, who was deputy prime minister until June, and lawyer Pablo Casado, 37, during a two-day congress.

Both of them were voted through the first round of unprecedented primaries at the PP.

The winner could become Spain's next prime minister if the PP wins general elections planned for 2020 at the latest.

Saenz de Santamaria is emphasizing her considerable experience.

She doesn't think the party needs to be revamped and believes she is most capable of defeating Pedro Sanchez, the current Socialist prime minister who ousted Rajoy with a parliamentary no-confidence vote.

May 24, 2015: Pablo Casado reacts as he talks to reporters after the regional and municipal elections in Madrid, Spain. /VCG Photo

"I have energy, I want it and I have experience," she told a campaign meeting, adding that Pedro Sanchez is flying a Boeing 747, and he doesn't even have the experience to pilot a light aircraft.

On the other side is Casado, who has criticized his rival's management of the separatist crisis in Catalonia when she was in charge of relations between Madrid and regions.

He has taken a hardline stance on Catalonia, calling for the addition of offenses such as illegally calling a referendum to the criminal code to boost Spain's legal response to the secession threat.

"Dialogue doesn't work with those who want to break the law," he said this week.

The lawyer is also against depenalizing euthanasia as promoted by the Socialist government and wants to lower income and corporation taxes.

(With input from AFP)