Mass protest in Madrid against Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez

The Spanish right descended on the streets of Madrid on Sunday to protest against the government of Pedro Sánchez and its position in front of the pro-independence leaders of Catalonia, in the face of what they see as concessions to the regional parties, and demanded the convening of general elections.

The socialist government led by Pedro Sanchez announced on Tuesday that it accepted the request of the Catalan separatist parties to create a dialogue table political parties represented in the Regional Parliament of Catalonia and in which a "rapporteur" would be responsible for moderating and coordinating the debate.

This decision, taken a few days after the start of Tuesday's trial of Catalan separatist leaders for the secessionist attempt in October 2017, has sparked fierce criticism from the opposition. The People's Party (center right), The citizens (liberals) and Vox (far right) decided keep the call although the conversations between the Spanish Government and the Autonomous Government of Catalonia have been suspended.

The local government reported that 45 thousand people They were in the Plaza de Colón.

"We do not want to tolerate more concessions to those who want to destroy our homeland. National unity is not negotiated. We call on the President of the Government to call a general election immediately so that the Spaniards can decide their future, "asked Albert Castillón, one of the journalists in charge of reading the manifesto of the act.

The concentration had the mottoFor a united Spain. Elections now!and ended with the cry of "Viva España! Long live the King!".

The Catalan question occupies these days the center of the Spanish political debate, become a real tetris of interests, pressures and electoral calculations. The historic trial against 12 separatist leaders opens Tuesday at the Supreme Court for its role in the unsuccessful attempt to secede in October 2017.

Politicians such as Barcelona's candidate for mayor, Manuel Vallsand the Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa, who accompanied Rivera.

The concentration between the three right-wing parties reiterates the agreement reached last month to drive the Socialists out of power in Andalusia, their historic stronghold, and according to polls they could form a future national majority.

The Supreme Court will judge from Tuesday in Madrid twelve independentist leaders for their unsuccessful attempt to secede from Catalonia in October 2017, a historical process that, from the beginning, has polarized Spain.

This process, broadcast live on national public television and to which more than 600 journalists from 150 media have been accredited, could last about three months. The Supreme Court should pronounce a sentence two or three months after the end of the hearings.

"The Catalan question remains at the center of the Spanish political debate and the trial can serve as a reminder of what happened in 2017. This right will be used by the right to criticize any Sánchez movement to negotiate budgets", explains -t it. badyst Antonio Barroso, from Teneo Intelligence.

In power since last June, thanks to the support of the Catalan independence fighters, the socialist Pedro Sanchez needs his votes to advance the budgets of this year and continue to head the Spanish government until 2020.

One of the great peculiarities of this trial is that the right-wing Vox party, the most virulent against the separatists, will enjoy a political platform when it appears to be a popular accusation.

This will be possible thanks to a peculiarity of the Spanish legal system, which allows any citizen or any organization to act as an accuser to defend the legality.

(With information from EFE and AFP)