Thousands rally in Madrid demanding Sánchez resign over Ceuta crisis
Around tens of thousands gathered in central Madrid to protest the government's handling of the Ceuta situation and call for Pedro Sánchez's resignation.
The second March for Spain's Dignity attracted tens of thousands of participants who began marching from Plaza de Cibeles at 10:00, proceeding through Alcalá, Gran Vía and Princesa before concluding at Moncloa's Victory Arch. The rally, organised by Sociedad Civil Española, warned that Spain's existence as a sovereign nation was at stake and called for snap general elections to let citizens express their will. Speakers Marcos de Quinto, founder of Pie en Pared, and Amalio de Marichalar accused the government of betraying Ceuta and urged its defence.
Prominent right-wing figures, including Vox leader Santiago Abascal and PP secretary-general Miguel Tellado, attended and condemned the government's response to what they described as an invasion of Ceuta. The protest featured chants demanding Pedro Sánchez's resignation and highlighted fears of a planned influx of migrants into the enclave.
Why it matters
The protest signals deep political polarization in Spain over immigration policy and the government's legitimacy.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTCenter coverage reports the Madrid march as a largely peaceful rally supporting Ceuta with broad civil backing, while right-leaning coverage frames it as a confrontational anti-Sánchez protest emphasizing demands for resignation, accusations of corruption, and a disputed crowd size.
CENTER
Centrist coverage presents the march as a peaceful, broadly supported demonstration for Ceuta and early elections, noting only a minor incident with a small group near the police line.
RIGHT
Right-leaning coverage portrays the protest as a hostile anti-Sánchez rally, highlighting calls for the prime minister’s resignation, accusations of systemic corruption and electoral fraud, heavy police presence, and disputes over crowd size.
The right emphasises
- exigen la renuncia de Pedro Sánchez y del ministro del Interior
- acusaciones de corrupción sistémica y fraude electoral
- presencia policial pesada y disputa sobre el tamaño de la multitud
How this story developed
- Sep 16 Police dismantle overcrowded Ceuta flat housing 25 migrants, including six children
- Sep 18 The Audiencia Nacional's Contentious‑Administrative Chamber approved the use of Ceuta port for a temporary migrant shelter.
- Sep 18 about 850 migrants were settled in 50 tents at the port while others returned to beach camps
- Sep 19 The port camp filled within hours, leaving many migrants still without shelter on the streets and beaches.
- Sep 26 Morocco’s foreign minister announced the country's readiness to receive Ceuta migrants at the UN General Assembly.
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