Right-wing protest demands Sánchez’s resignation in Spain

A growing atmosphere of political fatigue surrounds Spain’s socialist government, currently shaken by a series of highly publicized corruption scandals. For the fifth time in two years, Spain’s conservative and far-right forces mobilized citizens on Sunday in Madrid to demand Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s resignation.

Chanting “Pedro Sánchez resign!” and waving Spanish flags, tens of thousands gathered in the capital’s Plaza de España. The demonstration, organized by the conservative Popular Party (PP), was held under the slogan “Mafia or Democracy.” While the PP claimed over 100,000 attendees, official estimates ranged between 45,000 and 50,000.

Among the demonstrators was Blanca Requejo, a 46-year-old shopkeeper, who criticized the government, saying, “Its expiration date has long passed. It’s exhausting.”

The protest followed recent leaks to the press of recordings between former Socialist Party (PSOE) member Leire Díez, a Civil Guard commander, and a businessman both reportedly involved in corruption cases tied to Sánchez’s circle.

In the tapes, Díez allegedly promised judicial leniency in exchange for compromising information about Civil Guard agents involved in investigations embarrassing to the prime minister. Díez denies wrongdoing, stating she was gathering material for a book and no longer represents the PSOE or Sánchez.

PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo accused the government of “mafia-style practices” and called for early elections, although general elections are scheduled for 2027.

Government spokesperson Pilar Alegría downplayed the protest, noting that a concert by the Spanish rock band Estopa recently drew a larger crowd in Madrid.

Several figures close to Sánchez including his wife, brother, and former transport minister José Luis Ábalos are facing judicial probes into corruption. Sánchez maintains their innocence and accuses the right-wing of orchestrating a smear campaign to undermine his administration.

Sánchez came to power in 2018 after ousting conservative leader Mariano Rajoy over a corruption scandal within the PP. Yet some citizens argue that current accusations are more serious.

Rafael Redondo, a 73-year-old real estate agent, insisted that past PP scandals involved individuals acting alone, while accusing the PSOE of functioning as a “criminal organization.” Businesswoman María del Mar Tomé, 59, echoed public anger, saying, “We want Sánchez gone for good he’s corrupt and a liar.”

This protest marks the sixth major mobilization led by Feijóo since he assumed PP leadership in April 2022. It also comes ahead of an extraordinary party congress in July, brought forward from 2026, reflecting Feijóo’s aim to strengthen the PP amid the possibility of early national elections.

Former PMs Mariano Rajoy and José María Aznar attended the rally, alongside several regional leaders.

Despite the unrest, polls show the PP only slightly ahead of the socialists. Sánchez remains the most favored political leader among voters, with 24.6% support, compared to far-right Vox leader Santiago Abascal at 17.1%, and Feijóo at 16.6%, according to a recent El País poll.