A RIGHT-WING congressman has been chosen to lead Spain's main opposition the People's Party at the group's conference on Saturday.

Pablo Casado, who is 37, has taken a hard line on Catalonian separatists and has voiced his wish to lower taxes. He replaces former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy who was ousted in a no confidence vote last month.

Casado takes control of the PP after it was embroiled in a corruption scandal relating to a secret campaign fund which led to Rajoy's demise.

The former communications secretary will now be tasked with rebuilding the party's support ahead of three sets of elections in the country next year.

Addressing delegates yesterday, Casado called for a new economic phase in Spain brought about through productivity and lower taxes.