VIDEO Thousands of Spaniards ask Pedro Sanchez not to resign: “If the far right comes to government, it will be a step backwards in terms of rights”

Thousands of supporters of Spain’s Socialist Party are taking part in a rally on Saturday to ask Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez not to resign, less than 48 hours before the expected announcement of his decision, AFP reports.

Gathered outside the headquarters of the Socialist Party (PSOE) in Madrid, where its leaders were meeting, Sanchez’s supporters chanted slogans such as “Pedro, president”.

Supporters, estimated at 12,500 according to the government, held signs reading “Spain needs you”, “Pedro, don’t give up” in support of the Socialist leader who has suspended activities until “this announcement”.

The 52-year-old Socialist, in power since 2018, surprised Spain on Wednesday by saying he was taking a few days to decide whether to step down as head of government after a court launched a corruption probe targeting the private affairs of his wife, Begoña Gómez, following a complaint by a close association of the extreme right.

Beyond Sanchez’s endorsement, some fear what will happen with a far-right government

“I have to stop and think” to decide “if I should continue to be at the head of the government”, justified Pedro Sánchez, in a four-page letter published on social networks, without even informing the closest ministers, some of them said.

“I hope Sanchez will say on Monday that he’s staying,” Sara Domínguez, a consultant in her 30s, told AFP, who believes her government has “taken very good measures for women, LGBT+ people, minorities.”

“If he leaves, there is a possibility that the far right will rule and that will be a step backwards in terms of rights and freedoms,” said José María Díez, a 44-year-old civil servant from Valladolid in the north of the country .

At the party’s headquarters, its leaders gathered to ask the prime minister to stay, a meeting they interrupted to come and greet the crowd of demonstrators.

“President, wait. Pedro, wait, we are together, let’s go on, we have to go forward, we have to go on moving this country forward, Spain can’t go back,” said the number two in the government, Budget Minister Maria Jesus Montero.

After his shock announcement, Sanchez suspended his public activities as he was due to launch the campaign for crucial May 12 regional elections in Catalonia on Thursday evening.

Among the tracks considered by observers is the announcement of a vote of confidence, to show Spain that he and his minority Government are still supported by a majority in the Chamber of Deputies.

The hypothesis of a resignation cannot be completely ruled out, according to analysts, but the right-wing opposition doubts it and denounces a “victimization” and a “spectacle”.