Six people will stand trial in Madrid, accused of throwing eggs at four PSOE deputies and shouting threats at them just hours before Pedro Sánchez’s investiture session on 16 November 2023. The incident took place at a café near the Congress of Deputies. Prosecutors are seeking an €8,640 fine for public disorder and disrespect to authority.
The confrontation unfolded early on 16 November, when deputies Daniel Senderos Oraá, María Luisa García Gurrutxaga, Vicent Sarrià Morell and Herminio Sancho Íñiguez gathered for breakfast at El Barógrafo, a café on Calle del Príncipe. Information from court documents, several men entered and loudly insulted the deputies, escalating the confrontation. One deputy called police for assistance, but eggs were thrown before officers arrived, striking at least one parliamentarian in the face.
The investiture vote took place later that day. Sánchez was re-elected by 179 votes to 171, three votes above the absolute-majority threshold. PSOE, Sumar, ERC, Junts, EH Bildu, PNV, BNG and Coalición Canaria supported his candidacy; the PP, Vox and UPN voted against.
The prosecution argues that the accused acted out of clear hostility toward the deputies’ political views and intended to disrupt the investiture session. The case file cites phrases such as “Traidores, lo vais a pagar” and “asquerosos, traidores, os tendrían que matar,” which convey the aggression of the confrontation. The private prosecution is seeking harsher penalties: six years in prison, a €6,000 fine and €10,000 in compensation for each affected deputy. It also alleges an attack on authority, also to public disorder.
In her order opening the trial, the judge required the six defendants to post a joint bond of €40,000 to cover potential liabilities. If they fail to do so, their assets will be seized to secure the amount. The Provincial Court of Madrid will set a trial date in the coming months. As reported by EL PAÍS, the case has drawn attention to growing polarization around basic parliamentary events.
One of the deputies, Herminio Sancho Íñiguez, described how events escalated rapidly after he noticed suspicious behavior outside the café. He said the group was confronted by shouting men after entering, prompting a call to police. The attack came as he was leaving for the Congress: an egg struck him in the face.
The prosecution argues that the accused were politically motivated and sought to intimidate the deputies and interfere with the investiture process. The incident forms part of a broader pattern of heightened tensions around Spanish parliamentary proceedings. In recent months, authorities have also increased security measures and scrutiny of political gatherings. Reports have highlighted the Italian government’s extension of border checks for travelers from Spain over security concerns, as detailed in this related coverage.
Spain’s legal structure treats attacks on public officials and disruptions of parliamentary activity as serious offenses. The trial’s outcome could shape how similar incidents are handled in the future, as political divisions remain pronounced. The case also puts a spotlight on security for elected officials and the potential legal consequences for those who cross the line from protest to aggression.
