Spain is mourning the death of one of its top politicians - Loyola de Palacio - who died at the age of 56, the head of the leading conservative Popular Party Mariano Rajoy announced.

She died late Wednesday in Madrid's Doce de Octubre hospital after being treated for cancer for at least five months.

She was a member of the European Commission from 1999 until 2004, serving under the team led by Romano Prodi.

Palacio was a Vice-President in charge of relations with the European Parliament, as well as a commissioner of transport and energy.

In her home country, Palacio was a former minister of agriculture, fisheries and food. She was a senior member of the opposition Popular Party.

De Palacio was survived by her sister, fellow Popular Party politician and former foreign minister Ana de Palacio, and her brother Jose Maria.

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