Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has denied corruption allegations against his wife, Begoña Gómez, but said he will consider resigning after the launch of a judicial investigation into the accusations.
Allegations and Investigation
- A right-wing legal platform has accused Begoña Gómez of using her position to influence business deals.
- A Spanish judge has agreed to probe these allegations, and the court based in Madrid will consider the allegations and proceed with the investigation or dismiss it.
Prime Minister’s Response
- Sánchez has posted a letter on his X account stating that while the allegations against his wife are false, he is canceling his public agenda until Monday when he will announce whether he will continue as prime minister or step down.
- He said, “I need to stop and reflect. I must answer the question if it is worth it to continue, given the mud pit the right and far right have made out of our politics, if I must continue at the helm of the government or renounce that highest of honors.”
Background
- Pedro Sánchez has been Spain’s prime minister since 2018 and was able to form a new left-wing coalition government in November to start another four-year term.
- He is one of Europe’s longest-serving Socialist leaders.
Wife’s Response
- Begoña Gómez will defend her honor and collaborate with the justice system to clarify that the alleged facts are nonexistent, according to Sánchez.
Who is Pedro Sánchez in Spain?
Spanish politician and current Prime Minister of Spain
- Background
- Born in 1972 in Madrid
- Studied economics at the University of Navarra and the Free University of Brussels
- Political Career Highlights
- First became a member of the Congress of Deputies in 2009
- Elected PSOE leader in 2014
- Ousted Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in a no-confidence vote in 2018
- Formed a coalition government with left-wing and Catalan nationalist parties
- Survived a no-confidence vote in 2020 after making concessions to Catalan parties
- Resilience and Challenges
- Known for resilience, regaining PSOE leadership in 2016 after being ousted
- First Spanish PM to successfully topple a government with a no-confidence vote
- Target for right-wing attacks due to reliance on nationalist support
- Controversy
- Faced corruption allegations against his wife, Begoña Gómez, in 2024, which he denies as politically motivated