Thousands of supporters of Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, have flooded the streets of Madrid, rallying to convince him not to step down. The Socialist leader shocked the nation by announcing a pause in his official duties to reflect on his future, following a court's decision to launch a preliminary inquiry into corruption allegations against his wife.
Supporters, including Sara Dominguez, a consultant in her 30s, and Jose María Diez, a 44-year-old government official from Valladolid, expressed their solidarity outside the Socialist Party's headquarters in Madrid. They chanted "Pedro, don't give up" and "You are not alone," highlighting the stakes involved.
Sara Dominguez hoped that Sánchez's government had made strides for women, the LGBT community, and minorities, while Jose María Diez warned of the potential far-right surge if Sánchez were to resign, fearing a regression in rights and liberties.
The demonstration drew 12,500 people, according to the central government's delegation in Madrid. The outpouring of support comes on the heels of a Madrid court's decision to investigate Sánchez's wife, Begoña Gómez, over allegations of influence peddling.
These allegations were levied by the organization Manos Limpias (Clean Hands), led by Miguel Bernad, with ties to the far-right. The investigation centers on Gómez's connections to companies that received government funds or contracts, particularly her role in a foundation called IE Africa Center and its dealings with tourism group Globalia.
Despite widespread coverage in right-wing media, Sánchez and his allies dismiss the accusations as baseless. Public prosecutors in Madrid have even called for dropping the investigation due to lack of evidence, pointing out that one of the claims has already been proven false.
The prime minister, facing what he perceives as a concerted effort by right-wing parties and media to destabilize him, has refused to be brought down by what he calls a "false lawsuit." His colleagues, including Emiliano García-Page, the Socialist president of the Castilla-La Mancha region, and María Jesús Montero, the first deputy prime minister, have voiced their support.
Montero, who would temporarily take over if Sánchez resigns, denounced the "savage far right and a complicit and cowardly right," urging Sánchez to stay. García-Page also stood by Sánchez, emphasizing that a prime minister should not be ousted by a frivolous lawsuit.
Meanwhile, opposition politicians, like Alberto Núñez Feijóo of the conservative People's Party (PP), accuse Sánchez of feigning victimhood and resisting democratic accountability. Feijóo highlighted the authoritarian tendencies within Sánchez's government, comparing them to the days of dictator Francisco Franco.
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