Anti-ETA protest turns into attack on government
Despite Popular Party claim event would focus on new Basque party Sortu, chants against deputy prime minister were heard
A march to protest ETA sympathizers running for office in May elections turned into an attack on the Socialist government on Saturday.
The opposition Popular Party (PP) had said the demonstration would focus solely on the issue of Sortu, a radical Basque party created by former members of Batasuna, ETA's outlawed political wing.
But even before the march officially began, at 4.45pm on Saturday, protesters were already chanting "Rubalcaba, go to jail!" in reference to Deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, who some believe was involved in a high-level tip-off to ETA while the government was in talks with the terrorist group.
The courts are currently investigating that tip-off, known as the Faisán case.
Secret talks
While opposition leader Mariano Rajoy failed to show up at the Madrid march, other leading PP members did, including city Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón and secretary general Dolores de Cospedal.
Some were visibly uncomfortable with the tone of the march, as protesters voiced concerns that the government is still in secret talks with ETA - a line that Rajoy has shied away from.