Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has suspended all public duties for the rest of the week and is considering resigning, following a court investigation into his wife for alleged influence-peddling and corruption. In a letter posted on X, Sánchez blamed a 'harassment and bullying operation' by political and media opponents for the probe.
The Madrid court opened a preliminary investigation into Begoña Gómez after a complaint by Manos Limpias, a pressure group with far-right links. Sánchez described the complaint as based on 'alleged reporting' from right-wing news sites, and said his wife would cooperate with the justice system to clear up what he called 'nonexistent' facts.
Sánchez accused opposition leaders Alberto Núñez Feijóo of the People's Party and Santiago Abascal of Vox of collaborating with a 'far-right digital galaxy' to bring about his 'personal and political collapse'. He said he would announce his final decision on Monday, 29 April.
Colleagues expressed support, with Deputy Prime Minister Teresa Ribera stating, 'Not everything goes in politics,' and Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz calling for defence of democracy. However, critics demanded transparency, with a PP spokesperson urging Sánchez to provide a 'full explanation' instead of disappearing for five days.
Right-wing newspapers were dismissive, with El Mundo headlining 'Sánchez pauses Spain to play the victim' and ABC reading 'Spain left on tenterhooks as Sánchez threatens to resign'. Sánchez, known for political comebacks, secured a second term last year after offering an amnesty to Catalan separatists.
