Protests in Spain erupt amid corruption scandal
Thousands of Spaniards protest against Pedro Sánchez’s government. Members of the ruling Spanish Socialist Workers’ party faced corruption allegation for the past year.
Thousands of people have gathered in downtown Madrid in protest against the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, and his government. The assembly has been called by the opposition's conservative People’s Party. Estimates from the central government’s delegation to the region report that between 45,000 and 50,000 people have attended the demonstration, whereas organisers claim 100,000.
The protest, called under the slogan "mafia or democracy," emerged as Pedro Sanchez, his government, and inner circle faced backlash due to corruption allegations that have been surfacing for the past year.
The public tensions reached a boiling point in recent days as Leire Díaz, a former member of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ party (PSOE) was accused of orchestrating a defamatory campaign against the Guardia Civil police unit. The department has been conducting an investigation into the Prime Minister's wife, brother, and a former transport minister, José Luis Ábalos.
Leire Díaz, who stepped down from the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) following the release of audio recordings suggesting she proposed judicial favours in exchange for damaging material on high-ranking officials, has rejected claims of acting on behalf of the party or Prime Minister. She maintains that her involvement was purely part of independent research for a book focused on corruption.
In the wake of the corruption scandal, the opposition has called for Sanchez's resignation and snap elections. People present at the demonstration carried signs with slogans such as "Sánchez traitor" and "government resign."
"Spain needs a revolution of decency and freedom – and we will lead that revolution from the streets and at the ballot boxes. 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," said the leader of the People’s Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo.
