Cultural icons and ex-ministers rally to defend Sánchez against ‘democratic threat’

In an extraordinary show of support for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, over a hundred public figures — from ex-ministers and academics to artists and cultural icons — have joined forces to denounce what they describe as an orchestrated attempt to delegitimise the current government.

Among the signatories are revered filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar, legendary singer-songwriter Joan Manuel Serrat, and several former PSOE ministers. They all raise the alarm over rising political hostility and the manipulation of public discourse by conservative power structures.

Warning of a ‘Trump-Bolsonaro-style’ strategy

The statement, released this week, alleges that right-wing forces — including elements within the judiciary, media, and the Catholic Church — are working in concert to destabilise Sánchez’s administration. According to the manifesto, these groups are “following the path of Trump and Bolsonaro,” referring to the US and former Brazilian presidents both accused of undermining electoral outcomes and democratic processes in their respective countries.

The authors argue that Spain is now facing a similar playbook, where election results are publicly questioned and government legitimacy is eroded through conspiracy-fuelled rhetoric.

Dangerous political discourse

The manifesto singles out the increasingly aggressive language of opposition leaders, accusing them of sowing distrust in institutions. Sánchez has been branded a “mafia boss” and his government “criminal” by members of the conservative Partido Popular (PP) and far-right Vox. The signatories warn that such inflammatory language is fuelling division and setting a dangerous precedent, reminiscent of darker chapters in Spain’s history.

“Democratic disagreement is legitimate,” the text states. “But denying the legitimacy of a democratically elected government threatens the very foundations of the rule of law.”

Judicial pressure without due process

Central to the statement is the concern that media narratives and opposition attacks are increasingly based on unresolved judicial investigations. It references the cases of former PSOE officials José Luis Ábalos and Santos Cerdán. Cerdán remains in pre-trial detention over alleged involvement in corrupt public contracts, while Ábalos, though not formally charged, is under scrutiny for pandemic-era financial dealings.

The manifesto acknowledges the seriousness of the allegations but insists that judicial conclusions — not press leaks or police reports — should guide accountability. “Governments cannot be toppled on the basis of assumptions,” it warns, “especially not when due process has yet to be completed.”

Cultural resistance to political manipulation

This cross-sector mobilisation reflects a deeper cultural unease. The manifesto denounces the spread of “fake news and half-truths” by major media outlets, and criticises judicial figures who protest against laws passed through democratic channels. It also highlights disturbing incidents such as racist attacks in Murcia and vandalism against left-wing political offices, drawing parallels with fascist tactics.

The tone is urgent: Spain, they say, is witnessing a dangerous normalisation of anti-democratic behaviour — not just from fringe groups, but from within its most powerful institutions.

Conservative backlash

Unsurprisingly, the manifesto has triggered a fierce backlash from opposition parties. The PP dismissed the initiative as the work of an “out-of-touch elite” trying to deflect attention from corruption scandals within Sánchez’s own party.

Yet the PP is facing its own crises, including the ongoing investigation into former finance minister Cristóbal Montoro, accused of financial irregularities during his time in office. Despite this, a parliamentary vote of no confidence remains off the table due to lack of opposition majority.

Defending the system, not a party

The signatories stress that their defence is not of Sánchez as a person or politician — but of Spain’s democratic framework. They urge Spaniards to remain vigilant, defend institutions, and demand a return to reasoned, constitutional debate.

Their message is clear: only a sitting prime minister or a successful vote of no confidence should end a government’s mandate — not media campaigns, political opportunism or judicial speculation.

A moment of reckoning for Spanish democracy

This manifesto marks more than just a show of support for Sánchez. It is a cultural and political warning shot — a reminder that the erosion of democracy doesn’t begin with a coup, but with words, rumours, and institutions stepping beyond their roles. In an increasingly polarised Spain, the call for unity and respect for constitutional order has rarely felt more urgent.

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