Overview

• The opposition-led demonstration in Plaza de España was organized by PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo after audio surfaced of Socialist researcher Leire Diez allegedly smearing a police unit probing graft claims linked to Sanchez’s family.
• Leire Diez denied the accusations, saying she was researching a book rather than acting for the party, and resigned from the Socialist Party.
• Feijoo denounced the government’s “mafia practices” at the rally and urged Sanchez to dissolve parliament ahead of the 2027 election.
• Government spokeswoman Pilar Alegria mocked attendance on X, comparing it unfavorably to a recent rock concert as official estimates ranged from 45,000 to over 100,000.
• The PP has moved up its extraordinary party congress to July as polls show it with a slim lead over the Socialists and Sanchez retaining the highest personal approval among voters.