Spain: Tens of thousands demonstrate in Madrid against Sánchez government

Tens of thousands of people demonstrated on Sunday in Madrid against the government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. At a rally by the opposition Conservative PP party on the centrally located Plaza de España, the government of corruption was accused and the resignation of Sánchez was required. Many demonstrators waved the Spanish national flag and called “Pedro Sánchez, Dimite!” (Pedro Sánchez, steps back!).

The PP estimated that more than 100,000 people took part in the rally under the motto “Mafia or Democracy”. Government representative in Madrid estimated the number of participants at 45,000 to 50,000.

The background of the protests recently had become public recordings that suggested that a party member of the governing socialists (PSOE) had led a targeted reputation damage campaign against a police unit. This unit had investigated Sánchez ‘wife, his brother and a previous narrow confidante because of alleged corruption.

The accused party member Seire Díez rejected the allegations. She had carried out research for a book – under its own name and without an order by Sánchez or the PSOE, explained Díez on Wednesday. Shortly afterwards she left the party.

PP boss Alberto Núñez Feijóo spoke of “mafia practices” of the government on Sunday and accused Sánchez of being “in the center” of several corruption scandals. “This government has stained everything – politics, state institutions, the separation of powers,” said Feijóo, demanding early new elections.

Several people from the narrow environment of the Spanish head of government are in the sights of the judiciary due to allegations of corruption, including his wife Begoña Gómez. She is accused of illegally exploiting her position as a wife of the Prime Minister to her professional advantage. It was displayed by the anti -corruption organization Manos Limpias (clean hands), which is supposed to be close to right -wing extremists.

The head of government has always rejected the allegations against his wife, he speaks of an “intrigue”. He also rejected all of the investigations against his environment as part of a “dirt campaign” of the opposition that wanted to destabilize his government.

Sánchez came to power in June 2018 by a vote of no confidence against his conservative predecessor Mariano Rajoy – triggered by a corruption scandal in the PP. According to current surveys, the PP is currently just ahead of the governing socialists. The next regular parliamentary elections are planned for 2027.