Feijóo Demands Clean Politics and Calls for Early Elections Amid Corruption Scandals

Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the Popular Party (PP), has taken a firm stance against corruption in Spanish politics, sharply criticizing Pedro Sánchez's PSOE government and calling for early elections to restore integrity to governance. Speaking ahead of a major anti-corruption protest in Madrid, Feijóo contrasted alleged corruption within Sánchez’s administration with his vision of leading a government free from such scandals.

Feijóo highlighted recent corruption cases involving PSOE officials, noting that three former ministers tied to Sánchez have been imprisoned. "The sanchismo was built in a car. The driver was Koldo, the spokesperson was Ábalos, the negotiator was Cerdán, and the number one was Sánchez. Three of those four have already been imprisoned," Feijóo remarked, suggesting Sánchez bears significant responsibility for the misconduct. He accused Sánchez of being preoccupied with his own troubles instead of addressing citizens' needs, stating, "Everything around Sánchez is corruption: institutional, with the Attorney General, within his party, and in his family."

Feijóo also addressed corruption allegations within the PP, particularly following the arrest of Almería’s provincial president and associates for illegal commissions during the pandemic. He asserted the need for accountability regardless of party and declared, "We have made mistakes and paid for them, but in this new stage, I take responsibility for the most decent party in Spain. Politics should not be a means to enrich oneself; those who disagree should leave the party or be expelled."

Calling on Spaniards from all political backgrounds to participate in the upcoming demonstration, Feijóo emphasized the protest’s focus on judicial independence and combating corruption. He urged coalition partners of Sánchez, especially Catalan and Basque nationalists, to reconsider their support to allow early elections — a step Feijóo insists is necessary to give citizens a democratic voice. "I want to be president through the ballot box," he said.

On the other side, PSOE figures dismissed the PP’s anti-corruption push, with Education Minister Pilar Alegría ironically suggesting the protest should start at the PP headquarters, which she labeled "Spain's kilometer zero of corruption." Meanwhile, Sánchez avoided mentioning corruption in his recent international address, focusing on leftist solidarity and the Ukraine conflict instead.

Feijóo also called for stricter immigration controls and condemned the government's significant tax increases. Despite discussions of a motion of censure, the PP currently lacks sufficient parliamentary support to pursue this action.

As Spain faces mounting pressure over political corruption, Feijóo’s anti-corruption campaign and push for early elections represent a defining challenge to Sánchez's government, promising an intense political debate in the coming months.