Thousands flood Madrid streets in mass anti-government protest

Tens of thousands gathered in central Madrid on Sunday for a protest organized by opposition groups, accusing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s administration of corruption.

Demonstrators filled Plaza de España, a prominent square in the heart of the capital, many of them waving Spain’s red and yellow national flags.

The crowd repeatedly chanted demands for Sánchez to step down.

"This government has long overstayed its welcome. People are fed up," said Blanca Requejo, a 46-year-old store manager draped in the Spanish flag, speaking to AFP during the rally.

The Popular Party (PP) organized the demonstration following the leak of audio recordings purportedly revealing Socialist Party member Leire Diez orchestrating a smear campaign targeting a police unit that was probing corruption allegations involving Prime Minister Sánchez’s wife, brother, and former chief aide.

Diez denied the claims, telling reporters on Wednesday that she was merely gathering information for a book and was not acting on behalf of the Socialist Party or Sánchez. She also announced her resignation from the party.

Popular Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo condemned the government for what he described as "mafia-like tactics" linked to the scandal, accusing Sánchez of being “at the heart” of several corruption cases.

"This administration has tarnished everything from politics to state institutions and the separation of powers," Feijóo told the crowd, urging Sánchez to call for early elections.

The PP estimated the turnout at over 100,000 participants for the rally, which carried the slogan "Mafia or Democracy."

The central government’s representative in Madrid put the turnout between 45,000 and 50,000.

Government spokeswoman Pilar Alegría took a jab at the protest turnout, posting on X that the veteran Spanish rock band Estopa attracted a larger audience at their recent concert in Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano stadium than "the apocalyptic Feijóo at Plaza de España."

Prime Minister Sánchez has dismissed the investigations targeting his close associates as a politically motivated "smear campaign" orchestrated by right-wing opponents aiming to destabilize his administration.

Sánchez assumed office in June 2018 after successfully leading a no-confidence vote that removed his Popular Party predecessor, Mariano Rajoy, amid corruption scandals involving the conservative party.

Rafael Redondo, a 73-year-old real estate agent, told AFP at the rally that the corruption scandals linked to the PP were "entirely different."

"Any wrongdoing within the PP involved isolated individuals. But the Socialist Party operates like a criminal organization, committing crimes across the board," he asserted.

Maria del Mar Tome, a 59-year-old businesswoman, said she attended the protest because “we want Pedro Sánchez gone for good — this man is corrupt and dishonest.”

This protest marked the sixth demonstration organized by the PP since Alberto Núñez Feijóo took over leadership of the party in April 2022.

The rally coincides with preparations for an extraordinary PP congress scheduled for July.

Originally planned for 2026, Feijóo advanced the event, explaining the need for the party to "be ready" in case early national elections are called a move widely seen as an attempt to strengthen his position.

Former prime ministers Mariano Rajoy and José María Aznar were present at Sunday’s protest, alongside several regional government leaders.

Recent polling indicates the PP holds a narrow lead over the Socialists, though Sánchez remains the most popular party leader among voters.

According to a survey published Monday in the daily newspaper El País, 24.6% of respondents named Sánchez as their preferred national leader, followed by far-right Vox leader Santiago Abascal at 17.1%.

Feijóo ranked third, favored by 16.6%.

The next general election is anticipated in 2027.