Spain's Prime Minister greeted with cries of 'traitor' at royal parade | Watch

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was met with curses, boos, and protest chants during the national holiday parade in Madrid. The event took place about a month and a half before the elections, with polls giving the right a clear majority and threatening his continued rule. Sánchez is identified in Israel as one of the most hostile leaders in Europe, due to his policies against Israel.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was met with curses, boos, and protest chants upon his arrival at the main military parade held in Madrid for Spain's national holiday. According to a report by the Europa Press news agency, Sánchez arrived in his official car at the Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo and waited inside for several minutes before exiting and joining senior officials. Later, King Felipe VI of Spain and his wife Queen Letizia arrived, along with heir apparent Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía. The boos and chants directed at the prime minister were heard again during the reception for the royal family and at the end of the parade. Spain's general elections were set for November 29, after Sánchez brought them forward following the rejection of his government's proposals to address the housing crisis. A poll published in the newspaper El País gave the conservative People's Party and the Vox party together 198 seats – above the 176 needed for a majority. Another poll on the website El Confidencial gave the two parties 200 seats. Sánchez's party is expected to drop from 121 seats to 112. The election campaign is also expected to address the immigration crisis and corruption investigations involving Sánchez's associates and family members. For the Israeli audience, Sánchez is identified as one of the most hostile leaders to Israel in Europe, due to his recognition of a Palestinian state in 2024, the arms embargo on Israel, and his accusations of genocide. The rift between the countries worsened in March, when Spain permanently withdrew its ambassador to Israel.