Madrid, Spain – Tens of thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Madrid on Sunday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his Socialist government amid a growing corruption scandal. Estimates of the crowd size varied, with organizers claiming 80,000 participants, while city administration officials reported approximately 40,000.The demonstration echoes a similarly large rally held in Madrid in June against Sánchez.
The protests stem from allegations of corruption involving several of Sánchez’s close associates. Former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos was arrested Thursday,along with his ex-advisor Koldo García and former party representative Santos cerdán. The three are suspected of accepting bribes in connection with the awarding of public contracts for protective masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sánchez, who leads a minority government formed with a left-wing coalition as 2023, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing within his Socialist Party and has resisted calls for early elections. The scandal has further destabilized his already fragile government. Spain’s justice system has also launched corruption investigations into Sánchez’s wife and brother.
Addressing the demonstrators,opposition leader Núñez Feijóo of the People’s Party stated,”Sánchism is in prison and must be thrown out of the government.” He reiterated his demand for new elections, saying, ”They shoudl finaly go – they should go and call new elections so that the citizens can speak, vote and decide.” The next general election is currently scheduled for the second half of 2027.
Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the conservative president of the Madrid region, described the situation as Spain being “in the hands of a mafia, a totalitarian project.” Conservative Madrid Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida and former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy also participated in the protest.
The People’s Party itself has faced past allegations of corruption. Recently,Carlos Mazón,the PP president of the Autonomous Community of valencia,announced his resignation following criticism of his handling of the autumn 2024 floods that caused over 200 deaths in the region.