Spain’s Mariano Rajoy, who was ousted as prime minister last week, announced on Wednesday that he was quitting politics.
"My intention is to definitely abandon politics, there are other things to do in life than dedicate oneself to politics," he said during an interview with radio Cadena Cope.
"I had an enormously intense political life and I think it makes no sense to stay longer here," the 63-year-old said.
The announcement came a day after he said that he was stepping down as head of the Popular Party (PP).
"It is the best for me and for the Popular Party, and I think for Spain as well," an emotional Rajoy said.
He stated he would not attend an emergency party congress in July to elect his successor.
Rajoy, one of Europe's longest-serving prime ministers, was ousted on Friday after he lost a no-confidence motion in parliament filed by the Socialists over a graft case that tainted the PP. He was replaced by Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez.
Rajoy predicted the new government would only bring political instability to Spain, noting that Sanchez himself had never won an election.
"The country is being governed by someone systematically rejected by Spaniards when they have been asked their opinion through the ballot boxes," he remarked.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated Sanchez by phone Tuesday and wished him success. According to her office, the two agreed that their countries would continue to "work closely together to strengthen Europe."
Since taking office in 2011, Rajoy has survived a bailout for Spain's banking sector, an election that left him with a minority government and a separatist push in the wealthy northeastern region of Catalonia.
Among those tipped to replace Rajoy as party chief is former defense minister Maria Dolores de Cospedal, currently the PP's deputy head.
Others include former deputy prime minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria and the president of the northwestern region of Galicia, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, who is close to the ousted prime minister.
