Lorraine Williamson
Thousands of people gathered in central Madrid on Saturday to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The demonstration, held in Plaza de Colón, was organised by Por la España Constitucional, a coalition of 129 civic groups, and supported by opposition parties including the Partido Popular (PP), Vox, and Ciudadanos.
Official estimates from the Spanish government put attendance at 25,000. However, organisers claimed the figure was closer to 200,000. Protesters carried Spanish flags and signs demanding Sánchez step down. They accused the government of undermining democratic principles and national unity.
Anger over recent blackout and amnesty plans
The protest followed a nationwide power outage that affected thousands across Spain. Although the cause is still being investigated, many participants saw the incident as a symbol of broader government failures. Critics cited delays and confusion in the response as signs of poor crisis management.
Discontent, however, goes beyond the blackout. A key source of frustration is Sánchez’s support for a proposed amnesty law. The legislation would offer legal protection to Catalan separatists involved in the 2017 independence referendum. Opponents argue the measure undermines judicial independence and equality before the law.
Prominent voices warn of political instability
Former Madrid regional president Esperanza Aguirre (PP) and former MEP Alejo Vidal-Quadras were among those addressing the crowd. Aguirre warned that Sánchez posed a threat to Spain’s constitutional order. Vidal-Quadras described cooperation with separatists as an attack on national unity.
Plaza de Colón, a symbolic location associated with Spanish unity, has frequently been the site of anti-separatist protests. Organisers say Saturday’s rally is just the beginning. They plan to continue mobilising against policies they believe erode democracy and institutional stability.
Government response and rising division
The Spanish government has yet to issue an official response. PSOE Minister Félix Bolaños dismissed the protest as driven by “far-right rhetoric and opportunism.” Government officials argue that collaboration with regional parties is vital for governance in Spain’s fragmented parliament. They say the amnesty proposal could aid reconciliation in Catalonia.
Saturday’s protest reflects growing political polarisation in Spain. Key issues include regional autonomy, judicial independence, and economic inequality. Sánchez’s administration, already under pressure from within its coalition, now faces renewed scrutiny from civic movements across the country.
Whether this public mobilisation will influence policy decisions or lead to significant political change remains uncertain.
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