Politics · Spain · 3 hrs ago
Sánchez booed at Spain’s National Day parade in Madrid
Spain’s National Day military parade took place in central Madrid on 12 October.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was met with whistles, boos and insults as he arrived.
King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía attended the ceremony, where the king received applause and cheers.
The parade is a yearly public event, but this year it took place during the run-up to Spain’s general election on 29 November.
The reactions to Sánchez reflect the political tension surrounding the event.
The ceremony included military personnel and equipment from Spain’s armed forces and other public services.
The royal family was due to visit Ceuta and Melilla the following day.
Pedro Sánchez was booed and insulted by people gathered near Madrid’s 12 October military parade.
The parade marked Spain’s National Day and was held during the run-up to the 29 November general election.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia presided over the event, accompanied by Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía.
The parade route ran along the Paseo del Prado and Paseo de Recoletos, ending at Plaza de Colón.
Reports put the participating force at about 4,380 people, alongside aircraft, helicopters and vehicles.
- Who
- Pedro Sánchez was booed by people gathered near the parade. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia presided over the event.
- What
- Spain held its annual National Day military parade.
- When
- 12 October 2026.
- Where
- Central Madrid, including Plaza Cánovas del Castillo and the Paseo del Prado.
- Why
- The parade commemorated Spain’s National Day. Reports also noted that it took place during the run-up to the general election.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Long live the king
Sánchez arrived by official vehicle at Plaza Cánovas del Castillo, according to 20minutos.
Sánchez left the vehicle and was booed and insulted by people nearby.
Felipe VI arrived and was greeted with applause and cheers, including cries of “Long live the king.
- Date
- 12 October 2026
- Election
- General election scheduled for 29 November
- Participants
- 4,380 members of the armed forces, security forces and other public institutions
- Route
- Paseo del Prado and Paseo de Recoletos to Plaza de Colón
- Aircraft
- 50 aircraft and 32 helicopters, according to La Vanguardia
- Vehicles
- About 144 vehicles and 39 motorcycles
Sources
El desfile del 12-O, en imágenes
Los reyes presiden el desfile del 12 de octubre con Ceuta y el adelanto electoral como telón de fondo y el debut de la cabra Babieca
Felipe VI preside un desfile marcado por el adelanto electoral y los abucheos a Sánchez
Los abucheos a Pedro Sánchez marcan el comienzo de un desfile de la Hispanidad de claro ambiente preelectoral
Desfile del Día de la Hispanidad y reacciones políticas en directo | Sánchez recibido entre abucheos e insultos a su llegada al desfile militar
Insultos y abucheos a Pedro Sánchez a su llegada al desfile militar
Sánchez llega al desfile del 12-O antes que los Reyes y encaja una sonora pitada en el paseo del Prado
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