Thousands Protest in Madrid Demanding Resignation of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez
On May 23, 2026, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Madrid to demand the resignation of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the detention of former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, following his recent legal imputation. The protest, organized by the group Sociedad Civil Española, drew significant support from right-wing parties Vox and the Popular Party (PP), marking a growing political crisis in Spain.
Scale of the Protest and Key Demands
The demonstration, dubbed the “Marcha por la Dignidad,” saw participation estimates ranging from 40,000 (as reported by the Delegación del Gobierno en Madrid) to 120,000 (according to organizers). The march began at Madrid’s Plaza de Colón and concluded near the Moncloa Palace, the official residence of the Prime Minister. Protesters chanted slogans such as “Pedro Sánchez, hijo de puta” (“Pedro Sánchez, son of a bitch”) and called for early elections.
The event was backed by over 150 civil associations and featured speeches from political figures, including Santiago Abascal, leader of Vox, who accused the government of being “secuestrada por una mafia corrupta” (“held hostage by a corrupt mafia”). The demonstration highlighted growing public frustration over allegations of political corruption and mismanagement.
Political Context and Legal Developments
The protests followed the legal imputation of Zapatero, who served as Spain’s prime minister from 2004 to
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