On Sunday, thousands of demonstrators gathered in central Madrid to protest against the government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, demanding an early general election as the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) grapples with multiple corruption allegations.

Organised by the opposition Conservative People’s Party (PP), the protest drew an estimated 45,000 to 50,000 participants according to government figures, while organisers claimed the number exceeded 100,000.

The rally, under the slogan "mafia or democracy", aimed at calling attention to the ongoing corruption scandals troubling Sánchez’s administration.

Over the past year, multiple allegations have emerged involving corrupt practices affecting not only Sánchez but also influential members of his family, including his wife, Begoña Gómez, and his brother, David Sánchez.

The pressure on the PSOE intensified recently following revelations that a former party member, Leire Díaz, attempted to discredit investigators from the Guardia Civil who are examining corruption claims against both Gómez and key political allies.

Díaz, who resigned from PSOE after leaked recordings surfaced of her discussing judicial leniency in exchange for compromising information, has distanced herself from the party's interests, stating her effort was part of research for a book on corruption.

During the protest in Plaza de España, many attendees held signs with slogans such as "Sánchez traitor" and “government resign.” Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the leader of the PP, addressed the crowd, calling for a “revolution of decency and freedom” and pressing Sánchez to call for immediate elections.

Feijóo asserted that the current government does not represent the will of the people and demanded accountability from Sánchez.

In response to the protests, Prime Minister Sánchez accused his critics of orchestrating a "harassment and bullying operation" against him and his family.

He claimed the allegations surrounding his wife are unfounded and motivated by political ambition from extreme-right factions.

Gómez is reportedly being investigated for alleged influence peddling, a claim characterized by Sánchez as a politically charged attack.

Additionally, David Sánchez faces trial on charges related to influence peddling initiated by similar groups that have targeted the prime minister's family.

The allegations concerning David Sánchez stem from a broader inquiry into corrupt practices dating back to earlier political scandals.

The Sánchez administration has also been scrutinised since February last year, following the arrest of an assistant to former transport minister José Luis Ábalos on suspicions of accepting bribes to secure contracts for personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The PP itself—a party removed from power due to its own extensive corruption scandals—is currently under investigation for numerous issues, including its response to last year’s deadly floods in Valencia.

The Madrid regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, continues to face criticism over her administration's pandemic protocols, which were linked to over 7,200 deaths in regional care homes.

She is also dealing with scrutiny regarding business dealings connected to her partner, who is facing allegations of tax fraud and document forgery.

As tensions escalate, government officials have sought to downplay the protest size, asserting that it reflects the desperation of the opposition.

Transportation Minister Óscar Puente shared aerial images indicating a relatively empty plaza, while Digital Transformation Minister Óscar López described the PP's efforts as an attempt to distract from internal challenges.

López claimed that, while insults were directed towards the government, genuine public support was lacking.