BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhuanet) -- Thousands of protesters have gathered on downtown streets outside the Madrid headquarters of the ruling Popular Party to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. It comes amid allegations he received payoffs from a slush fund before his party won elections in 2011.

The demonstration on Thursday came after opposition leaders called for Rajoy to explain himself before Parliament or face a censure vote.

On Monday, Rajoy brushed off demands that he should resign after text messages emerged showing him comforting a former political party treasurer who is under investigation over the slush fund and secret Swiss bank accounts. The treasurer has claimed Rajoy took under the counter payments. These accusations have been denied by Rajoy.

(Source: CNTV.cn)