Insults to Sánchez, Abascal as a star and the absence of Feijóo: the demonstration of support in Ceuta

Madrid"And what are they doing today?", asked a woman on Madrid's Gran Vía a few minutes past nine in the morning. "I think a demonstration for democracy and rights," a security guard replied, sympathetic to the cause but clearly misinformed. At that moment, the avenue was already blocked off and the first attendees were beginning to arrive for the call by the Sociedad Civil Española platform at the Plaza de Cibeles in support of Ceuta and against the Spanish government. Well, especially against Pedro Sánchez, who, as is now usual in right-wing demonstrations, has become the target and has been called absolutely everything: traitor, son of a bitch, to prison... In fact, the manifesto calling for the mobilization, supported by the PP and Vox, demanded immediate elections, treason proceedings against the Spanish Prime Minister, and the militarization of Ceuta to drive out the "invaders." According to the Spanish government delegation in Madrid, they managed to gather 20,000 attendees on a three-kilometer route that reached the Moncloa.

It was the second time that Sociedad Civil Española had called for a demonstration in Madrid, but the first, held in May, was more successful: it reached 50,000 attendees. Who is behind this entity? First of all, it must be clarified that it has no connection with the Societat Civil Catalana known in Catalonia, which mobilized Spanish nationalism during the 'Procés'; it is a right-wing platform promoted by the hardline wing of the PP and Vox. Behind it are names like Aleix Vidal-Quadras, founder of Santiago Abascal's party, and Jaime Mayor Oreja, a former People's Party Interior Minister. However, the message was dominated by Vox, which, unlike the PP, this Saturday managed to better control the staging. And the fact is that among those attending the demonstration, the extremes predominated: some rebuked the national police for being in Madrid and not in Ceuta: "The brave ones are there.".

Santiago Abascal has become a true rock star among the protesters. He arrived on time for the start of the demonstration and mingled with the people at the front: despite being surrounded by a party delegation, he spent the morning talking and taking selfies with the protesters (the majority, middle-aged and elderly). "Where is Feijóo?", asked a woman who was sharing a conversation with three friends. "He is surely there", another replied, convinced. A perfect example of the electoral competition between the two parties within the sociological composition of the right.

The reality is that Alberto Núñez Feijóo was not there and that he has opted to send the hardest sector of the party: Miguel Tellado, Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo and Alicia García. They, however, have not had the same ability to move as Santiago Abascal. To begin with, they summoned the press to make statements an hour later than the start of the demonstration, at 11 o'clock in the same Plaza Cibeles. Since the march had already begun some time ago, there was no one left, and they had to walk almost a kilometer along the Gran Vía, alone, until they met the protest.

They joined after dodging cleaning vehicles and National Police vans, and incorporated themselves into the march without drawing attention. "Cayetana, Cayetana!", was heard on occasion, while Tellado and García went unnoticed among a crowd that demanded a firm hand and sheltered from the sun with a Vox fan. A good metaphor for what is happening to the PP.