Madrid erupts in protest as scandals rock Spanish government

Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in central Madrid to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and call for an early general election, as his government continues to face mounting corruption allegations.

The demonstration, organized by the opposition conservative People’s Party (PP) under the slogan “mafia or democracy,” drew between 45,000 and 50,000 people, according to the central government’s regional delegation. Organizers, however, claimed turnout reached 100,000, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Sánchez’s Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) has been rocked by a series of scandals over the past year. Pressure intensified recently after a former party member, Leire Díaz, was accused of attempting to undermine the Guardia Civil investigation into Sánchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez, his brother David Sánchez, and former transport minister José Luis Ábalos. Díaz denies acting on behalf of Sánchez or the party, insisting she was researching a book on corruption.

Speaking to the crowd in the scorching midday heat of Plaza de España, PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo renewed his demand for early elections. “Spain needs a revolution of decency and freedom – and we will lead that revolution from the streets and at the ballot boxes,” he said. “Mr Sánchez, stop hiding, stop lying and stop running. Spain knows only too well who you are and what you have done. Yield to democracy. Call an election: we want one now because no one voted for this, not even your supporters.”

Sánchez has responded by accusing political and media opponents of waging a campaign to destroy him and his wife, describing it as a “harassment and bullying operation” aimed at triggering his “personal and political collapse.”

Gómez is under investigation following a complaint from far-right-linked pressure group Manos Limpias, while David Sánchez is facing trial for influence peddling. Meanwhile, former minister Ábalos is linked to a mask procurement scandal from the pandemic.

The government downplayed the protest. “They’re really nervous,” said Digital Transformation Minister Óscar López. “Because they’ve filled the Plaza de España with insults but not with people … While they sling mud, we move forwards.”

By Vafa Guliyeva