Supporters Rally Behind Prime Minister Amidst Allegations
In an unprecedented show of solidarity, thousands of Socialist Party supporters gathered in Madrid to back Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez amidst a tumultuous period for the Spanish leader. The rally, which took place at the party’s headquarters, saw supporters from all over the nation voicing their support for Sanchez, who recently hinted at the possibility of resigning from his position.
The potential resignation comes in the wake of a court’s decision to initiate a business corruption investigation into his wife, Begona Gomez’s private affairs. Sanchez has vehemently denied the allegations against his wife and has framed the probe as part of a broader smear campaign orchestrated by his political adversaries. Despite the controversy, Sanchez has stated that he will announce his decision on Monday.
At the heart of the rally, Deputy Prime Minister and Treasury Minister Maria Jesus Montero encouraged Sanchez to persevere, echoing the sentiments of the crowd with chants of “Prime Minister, stay, Pedro, stay. We are with you.” The atmosphere outside mirrored the fervor within, as jubilant supporters filled the streets, some brandishing flags and others with faces adorned in paint, all united in their plea for Sanchez to remain in office.
Concerns about Spain’s future without Sanchez were palpable among his supporters. Leonor Romero, a councillor from Huelva, expressed her apprehension, “I hope he continues, because Spain has to continue with him. If not, it scares me. We are afraid of what could come.” Similarly, pensioner Jose Luis Trigo shared his belief that Sanchez would not step down, “He must continue. I think he is not going to resign. He will leave us orphans.”
Meanwhile, opposition parties have criticized Sanchez’s consideration of resignation. Alberto Nuñez Feijoo, leader of the conservative People’s Party, urged citizens to remain skeptical: “I ask all citizens not to be fooled. Spain does not have a problem, the one who has a judicial problem is Sánchez, his government, his party and his circle. Let them solve it.”
The Madrid prosecuting authority disclosed that it is challenging the city court’s decision to investigate the complaint against Gomez, which was filed by an activist group with far-right affiliations. The complaint accuses her of influence peddling and business corruption.
Sanchez, who ascended to power in 2018, now faces a critical juncture in his political career as he weighs the future of his leadership against the backdrop of legal scrutiny and unwavering public support.
