‘I’m stepping aside, but I’m not leaving:’ Rajoy bids farewell to the People’s Party

Mariano Rajoy, former Spanish president, and former leader of the People’s Party (PP), gave his last speech as head of the party on July 20. In it, he avoided indicating his preference for successor to preside over the group, and spoke highly of the measures he and his government implemented to respond to Catalonia’s push for independence.

Rajoy also emphasized that while he’s stepping down from his position, he will stay present. “I’m stepping aside, but I’m not leaving, and, especially, I’ll stay loyal,” he affirmed, a statement greeted by applause.