 He eventually had to leave his municipal office in 2000 due to clashes with his new role as senator.In 2003 he replaced charismatic Xosé Manuel Beiras in the leadership of BNG.Following the 2005 Galician elections and subsequent political pacts with the Socialists' Party of Galicia (PSdG), Quintana became Vice-President of Galicia, serving until 2009.