100,000 Protest in Madrid Against Sánchez Government Corruption Allegations

Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Madrid to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez amid multiple corruption scandals involving his inner circle, including his wife and brother. The opposition Popular Party (PP), led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, organized the rally under the slogan 'Mafia or Democracy,' accusing Sánchez's government of mafia-like practices and calling for early elections to restore political decency. The protests were fueled by leaked audio suggesting a smear campaign against investigators probing these corruption cases, which Sánchez's party denies, framing the allegations as a right-wing smear campaign. Prominent conservative figures, including former prime ministers José María Aznar and Mariano Rajoy, joined the demonstration, highlighting ongoing concerns about corruption in Spanish politics. While the PP urges a democratic choice between corrupt and honest governance, right-wing party VOX accuses the PP of maintaining secret agreements with Sánchez's Socialists, complicating opposition unity. Despite the protests, recent polls show a tight race between the Socialists and the PP ahead of upcoming general elections.