Tens of thousands march in Madrid to demand Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's resignation

Tens of thousands of people marched through Madrid, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez following a series of corruption scandals. Organizers claimed 80,000 participants, while the Spanish government representative in Madrid estimated the crowd at around 40,000. The protest, organized by the Spanish Civil Society association, saw demonstrators carrying banners with slogans such as "Resignation of the socialist mafia" and displaying Spanish national flags.

“

Government resignation

Clashes erupted between a small group of protesters and police, leading to at least seven officers being injured and three arrests. Some masked individuals attempted to break through barriers surrounding Sanchez's residence. Images on Spanish television showed police detaining a group of masked people on a main road leading to the Moncloa Palace, where the prime minister lives with his family.

“

We are patriots

Opposition leaders from the People's Party and the far-right Vox party participated in the "March for Dignity." This demonstration occurs in the wake of a Spanish court announcing an investigation into former Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero for alleged involvement in an influence-peddling and money-laundering network. Zapatero, a key ally of Sanchez, has denied any wrongdoing.

“

Resignation of the socialist mafia

Prime Minister Sanchez himself briefly considered resigning in April 2024 after a judge opened an investigation into his wife, Begoña Gomez. He has publicly defended his family, asserting that the cases are politically motivated and driven by far-right opponents. Gomez also denies any wrongdoing, and a prosecutor recently recommended closing the case against her, which was initiated by far-right groups.

“

Only Spain matters