Spanish PM to stay on following corruption allegations against his wife

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez announced on Monday that he will not resign following allegations of corruption against his wife.

Sánchez, Spain's prime minister since 2018, announced in a televised address on Monday that he would remain in office.

Sánchez made a surprise announcement last week that he was considering stepping down. The 52-year-old politician cancelled all public engagements for a five-day period of reflection.

A Spanish court announced on Wednesday that it had opened a preliminary investigation into Sánchez's wife, Begoña Gómez, for alleged influence peddling and corruption.

In a four-page letter published on X the same day, the socialist prime minister said he and his wife were facing an ongoing “harassment and bullying operation” by his opponents.

The investigation into Gómez began on 16 April following a complaint by the Manos Limpias (Clean Hands) association, which is said to have links to the far right through its secretary general, Miguel Bernad.

Spanish media reported that the investigation focuses on Gómez's contacts with private companies that received money or contracts from the government. 

^{© PHOTO CHRISTOPHE GATEAU/DEUTSCHE PRESSE-AGENTUR GMBH/DPA}