While the socialists mobilize to support Pedro Sánchez before he announces on Monday whether or not he will resign from the Presidency of the Government, and the territorial federations encourage supporters to come this Saturday to gather in front of the PSOE headquarters in Ferraz in support of its general secretary, coinciding with the meeting of the party’s Federal Committee, yesterday afternoon the Madrid street experienced an unprecedented situation. It had to be divided into two demonstrations, one in support of the president and the other against him.
Around eight in the afternoon the protesters began to gather (350 in support of Sánchez and about 150 against, according to data provided by the Government Delegation in Madrid). This forced the National Police, which had deployed a significantly greater security device than on Wednesday – when the first concentrations took place – to block the street.
The demonstrations occurred just one day after the President of the Executive announced that he was canceling his public agenda to reflect on whether or not he would resign from office, a decision he made after a Madrid court accepted a complaint against his wife, Begoña Gómez, for processing. action that he considers to be part of a strategy of “harassment and demolition” against him.
On the corner of Ferraz and Buen Suceso Street, supporters of Sánchez’s continuity gathered, carrying flags of the socialist party and some of Spain. They chanted slogans such as “Pedro president”, “You are not alone”, “They will not pass”, “You, fascists, are the terrorists”, “Fascists get out of the institutions” and “Help me resign.”
On the other side of the block, at the confluence of Ferraz with Marqués de Urquijo Street, where the repeated demonstrations took place against the amnesty for the leaders of the process in November 2023, supporters of Sánchez’s resignation from office gathered. office.
Although these demonstrations had been happening practically daily since November, gathering only a few attendees in recent weeks, this Thursday they regained strength and several dozen protesters gathered next to the socialist headquarters.
Among their slogans were chants such as “PSOE, traitor, neither a worker nor a Spaniard” or “Sánchez to prison” and they carried signs that read “Pedro Sánchez, resign, the people do not admit you”, “Sánchez resign” and ” “Not a coup d’état.” Those attending this rally, in which some pre-constitutional flags were seen, sang Face to the Sun at the end of it.
A van equipped with screens has passed through the area several times displaying messages against Sánchez and his wife and screenshots of the journalistic articles on which the complaint against Gómez is based.
The common tone of both demonstrations was criticism of the media. While Sánchez’s supporters chanted “Media, manipulation,” on the other side of the street they chanted the well-known “Spanish press, manipulator.”
Around 9:30 p.m., when most of the protesters who supported Sánchez had withdrawn and only some of the opponents remained, the security forces restored traffic.
Other Spanish cities, such as Zaragoza, Logroño and Santander, hosted demonstrations and open assemblies in support of the President of the Government.
