Pedro Sánchez, the Prime Minister of Spain, caused shock and suspense by hinting at a possible resignation due to corruption allegations against his wife. After announcing that he would take five days to consider his decision, many Spaniards expected him to step down. However, in a surprising turn of events, Sánchez declared that he and his wife would endure the attacks and remain in office, despite the ongoing defamation campaign against them.
Sánchez’s decision to stay in power was met with mixed reactions. While his supporters celebrated his perseverance, some of his allies criticized his handling of the situation. Catalonia’s Prime Minister Pere Aragonès accused Sánchez of playing political games, while Pablo Iglesias of the left-wing party Podemos criticized him for backing down and making a fool of himself.
The opposition was also quick to condemn Sánchez’s actions, with the leader of the ultra-right party Vox calling him a “despot” and “autocrat.” Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo of the Partido Popular criticized Sánchez for further polarizing Spanish society and missing an opportunity to resign.
Political analysts like María Luengo attribute the growing polarization in Spanish politics to a general brutalization within all parties. The country is divided into two irreconcilable camps, with tensions running high. Sánchez’s promise of democratic renewal in Spain seems like a distant hope in light of the current political climate.