Thousands of people flooded the streets of Madrid on Saturday in a massive protest organized by civil society organizations opposing Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's controversial amnesty deal. The demonstration, which brought the capital to a standstill, was attended by leaders from the Popular Party and Vox, adding to the growing opposition against Sanchez's government.

Sanchez, who was reelected as prime minister by a highly fragmented parliament, secured the support of smaller parties, including Catalan and Basque separatists, in his bid for another term. To gain the backing of the Catalan separatist parties, Sanchez agreed to grant amnesty to individuals facing legal action for their involvement in Catalonia's separatist movement over the past decade.

The amnesty deal has garnered widespread criticism from critics who argue that it undermines the rule of law and is a strategic move by Sanchez to maintain his grip on power. The wealthy northeastern region's failed secession bid in 2017, marked by a banned referendum and a short-lived declaration of independence, remains a contentious issue in Spain.

Protests against the amnesty have been ongoing for over a week, with demonstrators gathering outside the Socialist party's headquarters each night. These rallies, organized by far-right groups, have sometimes escalated into violent clashes. The opposition leader of Vox, Santiago Abascal, has described the amnesty deal as a "coup d'etat" and pledged support for all mobilizations against it.

In response to the unfolding events, dozens of retired right-wing generals issued a manifesto on Friday, calling for the removal of the prime minister and the calling of new elections. Their call adds to the mounting pressure on Sanchez's government, as critics argue that the amnesty represents a betrayal of the constitutional order.

The controversy surrounding the amnesty deal has also caught the attention of the European Parliament, which is set to debate the issue next week amid concerns about the rule of law in Spain.

The protest in Madrid serves as a powerful display of public discontent with the current government's actions. As the opposition continues to rally against the amnesty, the political future of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez remains uncertain, with growing calls for his resignation and the holding of fresh elections.