Feijóo calls mass protest as Sánchez faces deepest political crisis

Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of Spain’s main opposition party, the Partido Popular (PP), is intensifying pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez following the latest political scandal involving alleged misconduct within the Socialist Party (PSOE). Feijóo has announced a large-scale protest to take place on Sunday, June 8, at Plaza de España in Madrid, aiming to expose what he calls a “mafia-like” network that undermines democracy.

The controversy was sparked by leaked audio recordings involving Leire Díez, a PSOE activist, allegedly requesting compromising information on a senior Civil Guard officer from a businessman under investigation. These revelations, alongside other accusations—including interference in judicial investigations targeting Sánchez’s brother and wife—have deepened public outrage and prompted resignations, such as that of the Interior Ministry’s deputy.

Feijóo argues that these developments mark Sánchez’s most vulnerable political moment since the controversial amnesty law debates. Citing this “democratic emergency,” he urges citizens to return to the streets as they did during the amnesty protests, positioning the PP as the defender of institutional integrity.

This mass rally comes amid Feijóo’s internal party campaign to reaffirm his leadership ahead of a national PP congress in July. The opposition leader, who submitted 94,500 endorsements and remains the only candidate, promises a new political era and a firm stand against corruption.

The protest also responds to calls from within the PSOE itself, including figures like Emiliano García-Page and Javier Lambán, who demand accountability and even urge Sánchez to consider calling elections. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz, leader of the coalition partner Sumar, labeled the situation as “extremely serious” and called for full institutional transparency.

Feijóo’s move is seen as a strategic step to amplify the pressure on Sánchez and to capitalize on growing public dissatisfaction. The PP has not organized a protest of this scale in nearly a year, though it has supported others. The most recent major rally led by Feijóo took place in May 2025, ahead of the Catalan elections, drawing thousands across Spain in opposition to concessions made to Catalan separatists.

With the slogan “Mafia or Democracy,” the PP is now mobilizing supporters nationwide, aiming to portray itself as the political alternative to a government it accuses of lies and corruption.