Thousands of people marched through the Spanish capital on Saturday, demanding the resignation of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez amid a series of corruption scandals involving members of his inner circle.
Demonstrators, many carrying red-and-yellow Spanish flags and placards reading “Enough!”, marched across Madrid behind a large banner that read: “Corruption has a price. No more impunity. Resignation and elections now,” reports Al Jazeera.
A coalition of more than 150 civic organisations, Sociedad Civil Espanola, organised the rally, which also received backing from the main conservative Popular Party (PP) and the far-right Vox.
Organisers claimed that around 120,000 people joined the demonstration. However, the central government’s delegate for the region estimated participation at about 40,000.
The march concluded at Plaza Moncloa, close to Sanchez’s official residence.
Following the end of the protest, a small group attempted to move towards the residence but riot police pushed them back. Authorities said the rest of the rally remained largely peaceful, according to Spanish television footage.
Officials confirmed that three people were arrested and seven police officers sustained minor injuries. The central government’s delegate provided these figures.
“There is no one left in Pedro Sanchez’s circle who has not been accused of very serious crimes. Spain is being held hostage by a corrupt mafia,” far-right Vox leader Santiago Abascal told reporters ahead of the march.
Sanchez, who came to power in 2018 after winning a vote of no confidence that removed the corruption-hit conservative PP government, has insisted he will remain in office despite mounting allegations involving his close associates.
His brother, David, is due to stand trial for alleged influence peddling.
His wife, Begona Gomez, is also under investigation in a separate corruption case. Sanchez briefly considered resigning in April 2024 after the case was opened.
Begona Gomez has denied any wrongdoing. A Spanish prosecutor last month asked the investigating judge to close the case, which was initiated by far-right groups.
Sanchez has dismissed the allegations against his family as politically motivated.
Meanwhile, his former close ally and ex-Transport Minister Jose Luis Abalos is awaiting a verdict in his own corruption trial, which concluded earlier this month.
On Tuesday, a court placed former Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, an ally of Sanchez, under formal investigation for influence peddling and other offences. Zapatero has denied any wrongdoing.
