Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez has halted his official duties to contemplate the possibility of resigning from his position following an investigation into his wife for corruption allegations. In a letter posted on social media, Mr. Sanchez expressed the need to take time to reflect on whether to continue leading the government or step down from his role. The Spanish Prime Minister, aged 52, stated that he would announce his decision on April 29 and suspend his public agenda until then.
The investigation into Mr. Sanchez’s wife, Ms. Begona Gomez, stems from allegations of influence-peddling and corruption related to her involvement with several private companies that received government contracts and money. Among the companies under scrutiny is the Spanish tourism group Globalia, which owns the Air Europa airline. Ms. Gomez is said to have met privately with Globalia’s CEO while the company was negotiating a significant rescue package with the government during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The accusations against Ms. Gomez have been described by Mr. Sanchez as part of a targeted harassment campaign led by ultra-conservative media outlets with the support of opposition parties. The Prime Minister specifically called out the People’s Party (PP) leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo and the far-right party leader Vox Santiago Abascal for collaborating with those making allegations against his wife.
Despite the turmoil, several members of Mr. Sanchez’s cabinet visited his residence to express their support for him on the evening of April 24. Labor Minister Yolanda Diaz reiterated the need to protect democracy, the progressive bloc, and the legitimacy of the coalition government led by the Prime Minister. The unfolding situation has garnered significant attention in Spain, with many eagerly awaiting Mr. Sanchez’s decision regarding his future as the country’s leader.