Spain's socialist prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has cancelled his public duties for the rest of the week and said he is considering resigning, blaming a 'harassment and bullying operation' by his political and media opponents for a court's decision to launch an investigation into his wife for alleged influence-peddling and corruption.
In a letter posted on X on Wednesday, Sánchez said the 'seriousness of the attacks' he and his wife, Begoña Gómez, were experiencing had led him to re-evaluate his position. He will announce his final decision on Monday. The announcement came hours after a Madrid court opened a preliminary investigation into Gómez's business affairs following a complaint by Manos Limpias (Clean Hands), a pressure group with far-right links.
Sánchez accused his political opponents, including the leaders of the conservative People's party and the far-right Vox party, of collaborating with a 'far-right digital galaxy' to bring about his 'personal and political collapse' by attacking his wife. He insisted the allegations against Gómez were 'as scandalous in appearance as they are nonexistent'.
The prime minister's announcement drew swift support from coalition allies, with Deputy Prime Ministers Teresa Ribera and Yolanda Díaz condemning the 'rightwing offensive'. However, critics demanded transparency, with a People's party spokesperson calling for Sánchez to provide a 'full explanation' instead of disappearing for five days. Spanish right-wing newspapers accused Sánchez of playing the victim.
Sánchez, who has led Spain since 2018 and secured a second term last year after an inconclusive general election, is known as a shrewd political operator. He previously survived a no-confidence vote to topple a corruption-tainted government and later formed Spain's first coalition government in 80 years.
