Thousands of supporters of Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, have rallied in the streets of Madrid in an effort to persuade him not to resign.

The Socialist leader stunned the country on Wednesday by announcing he was cancelling all official engagements in order to reflect on his future.

He took the decision after a court opened an initial inquiry into his wife over corruption claims.

Mr Sanchez will announce the decision on his future on Monday.

Socialist supporters travelled by bus from across the country to attend a demonstration of support for Mr Sánchez outside his party’s headquarters in Madrid, chanting “Pedro, don’t give up” and “You are not alone”.

One of those supporters, Sara Dominguez, a consultant in her 30s, said she hoped Sanchez’s government had “taken good steps for women, the LGBT community and minorities”.

Jose María Diez, a 44-year-old government official who came from Valladolid in northern Spain to express his support, said there was a real possibility that the far-right could take power if Sanchez quit.

“This will mean a step backwards for our rights and liberties,” he said.

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