Spain's ousted Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy gestures during a press conference at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain. (AP Photo) 
World

'Spain is full of Spanish people': Ousted Prime Minister Marinao Rajoy's famous gaffes

Regardless of what Spaniards think of their ousted prime minister Mariano Rajoy's track record, they all agree on one thing -- his truisms and slips of the tongue are legendary.

From our online archive

MADRID: Regardless of what Spaniards think of their ousted prime minister Mariano Rajoy's track record, they all agree on one thing -- his truisms and slips of the tongue are legendary.

After the veteran leader was toppled by a parliamentary no-confidence vote on Friday, Spanish media and social networks were flooded with his most embarrassing -- and sometimes endearing -- quotes from over the years. 

Here are some of his most famous and infamous gaffes:

Who deceived people?
"What we did -- which you didn't -- is de... deceive people," he told parliament in 2016, hesitating a little as he said it.

'ETA is a great nation'
"I want to give Spaniards a message of hope, ETA is a great nation... Spain, sorry, is a great nation," he said in 2007 when he was opposition leader, confusing his country with the Basque separatist group that waged decades of violence.

Spain: full of Spaniards
Spain "is a great country full of Spanish people" Rajoy declared in 2015.

 Same but different
"It's not the same if one person governs than if another does, it's not the same, otherwise said, it's very different," was another of his infamous truisms.

Mysterious sky water
"This is not like the water that falls from the sky without really knowing why," he once declared.

'Can't read my handwriting'
In February 2011, just months before he would go on to be elected prime minister for the first time, he got stuck in a television programme during a Q&A with audience members.

Spanglish
Known for his poor grip of English, Rajoy in 2012 told then British Prime Minister David Cameron: "It's very difficult todo esto," using a mix of English and Spanish.

'Mr PM' no longer
And in 2013, Rajoy started a parliamentary speech by saying "Mr Prime Minister", forgetting that was him -- but it's a phrase he may have to use again if he comes back as opposition leader.

BCI chair apologises over NALSAR ban order, says students 'don't require anyone to decide for them'

Jharkhand protest: Students to burn Soren and Rahul effigies, gherao CM's residence Aug 20

Tamil Nadu BJP chief's 'ask mother' jibe at CM Vijay triggers political backlash

SHANTI Act draft rules set operator liability, financial safeguards for private nuclear push

Attack on Sukhbir Badal an ‘assault on Sikh principles’, says emotional Harsimrat Kaur

SCROLL FOR NEXT