Mass Protest Against Pedro Sánchez in Madrid: A Divided Response

On Sunday, a major protest organized by Spain's Popular Party (PP) took place at the Temple of Debod in Madrid, drawing a considerable crowd that included several prominent PP leaders. Notable figures such as Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the President of the Community of Madrid, José Luis Martínez Almeida, the Mayor of Madrid, and Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the leader of the Popular Party, were present, highlighting the party's opposition to the government of Pedro Sánchez. One of the most talked-about moments of the event was a speech delivered by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, in which she made alarming claims regarding the actions of the Basque separatist group ETA. She suggested that ETA was planning an 'assault' on the Basque Country and Navarra, while criticizing Sánchez for his alliance with the leftist party Bildu. "Let them tell me it's a lie. Because there can be no greater moral corruption or greater betrayal to Spain than this. It cannot be—it cannot be that Bildu supports Sánchez," Ayuso declared passionately, rallying the crowd's sentiments. Her comments quickly stirred reactions online, including from economist Julen Bollain, who took to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his disbelief. Bollain remarked, "The worst part is not that she spouts these nonsense but that almost 48% of Madrileños voted for her and would do so again." His post quickly gained traction, accumulating over 30,000 views, 400 retweets, and 200 comments, reflecting the divided opinions regarding Ayuso's statements and the ongoing political climate. The number of attendees at the protest has been a subject of debate; while the Government Delegation estimated 40,000 participants, PP sources claimed the figure was as high as 80,000. The protest featured various chants directed at Sánchez, including calls for his resignation, references to corruption, and even the popular tunes "Sweet Caroline" and "The Final Countdown," which underscored the festive yet serious atmosphere. As the political landscape in Spain continues to evolve, this protest signals the deep divisions among citizens regarding the current government and its alliances. The tensions highlighted during this event are likely to resonate within the political discourse in the lead-up to future elections. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2