Thousands of Socialist Party supporters gathered in Madrid on Saturday to show their support for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, urging him to stay on despite the recent controversy surrounding his wife’s private dealings. Sanchez announced on Wednesday that he would take a few days to decide whether to continue leading the government after a court launched a corruption probe into his wife, Begona Gomez.
The rally at the party’s headquarters in Madrid was filled with enthusiastic supporters waving flags and playing popular songs in support of Sanchez. Deputy Prime Minister Maria Jesus Montero expressed her support, saying, “Prime Minister, stay, Pedro, stay. We are with you.”
Outside the headquarters, supporters voiced their fears of what could come if Sanchez were to resign. Leonor Romero, a councillor from Huelva, said, “I hope he continues, because Spain has to continue with him. If not, it scares me.” Jose Luis Trigo, a pensioner, added, “He must continue. I think he is not going to resign. He will leave us orphans.”
Opposition parties have criticized Sanchez’s decision to step back, with the leader of the conservative People’s Party, Alberto Nuñez Feijoo, calling on citizens not to be fooled by the situation. Madrid’s prosecuting authority is appealing the court’s decision to investigate the private complaint against Gomez.
Sanchez, who came to power in 2018, is expected to announce his decision on Monday. Supporters and opponents alike are eagerly awaiting his next move as the political drama unfolds.