Sun, sea… and a surprise umbrella protest against Pedro Sanchez in Costa Teguise
Holidaymakers and locals enjoying the sunshine on Playa Bastián in Costa Teguise were met with an unusual sight this week, dozens of umbrellas carefully arranged in the sand as part of a political protest against the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, who is currently spending his summer break in Lanzarote.
He has been staying with his wife, daughters, and parents at La Mareta, the official residence near Costa Teguise, where Spanish heads of government and visiting dignitaries often stay while in the Canary Islands.
On Tuesday morning, beach visitors noticed the umbrellas positioned to spell out messages criticising Sánchez. The stunt was quickly linked to Hazte Oír, a Madrid-based pressure group well known in Spain for its headline-grabbing campaigns. The organisation later claimed responsibility, describing it as another step in their so-called “land, sea, and air campaign against the corrupt Prime Minister.”
This isn’t their first unusual protest. In recent months, they have used buses, trucks, jet skis, hot air balloons, and giant banners to get their message across. This time, however, they took their campaign to the sand – right in view of one of Lanzarote’s most popular resorts.
The Spanish Government has dismissed it as “a campaign of hate,” while Sánchez’s party, the PSOE, has filed a formal complaint against Hazte Oír for alleged slander and defamation. Meanwhile, police on the island have identified five people believed to have taken part in the umbrella protest.
It is not yet clear whether the umbrellas are still on Playa Bastián, as authorities were expected to order their removal, but by then, plenty of photos had already made the rounds on social media, some amused by the creativity, others disapproving of the message.
For many holidaymakers on the island, it was simply an unexpected twist to their day at the beach. “We came down for a swim and thought it was some kind of art installation,” one tourist commented, before learning that it was actually a political protest.
While the Prime Minister continues his family holiday in Lanzarote, it seems his presence has brought a touch of political drama to the usually peaceful shores of Costa Teguise, reminding visitors that even paradise isn’t completely free from politics.
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