Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez stated that ‘he is considering resigning from his office as he cancels all public duties for the rest of the week.’ The announcement was just made by the Spanish leader after a judge opened a case on the wife of the Spanish PM Begona Gomez for corruption charges.
The Spanish PM decided to not make any contact with the public, especially with the media after his wife was accused of using her position to help her friends to win public contracts.
Spanish PM On His Wife Begona Gomez
Pedro Sanchez wrote on his official X page and stated that ‘I need to stop and think’. He further stated that ‘the seriousness of the attacks he and his wife, Begoña Gómez, were experiencing has led him to re-evaluate his position. This attack is unprecedented and so serious and so crude that I need to stop and reflect with my wife.’
Carta a la ciudadanía. pic.twitter.com/c2nFxTXQTK
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) April 24, 2024
The Socialist leader who has been the leader of Spain since 2018 stated that ‘he would be announcing his final decision on his future on April 29.’
The decision was made after Juan Carlos Peinado, a judge from Madrid court opened an initial investigation into Begona Gomez’s business’s involvements. The accusation came in from a campaign group known as Manos Limpias (in English Clean Hands) whose leader has information about the business affairs of Begona Gomez.
What Are the Allegations?
The campaign or pressure group Manos Limpias criticized and claimed that Begona Gomez got favors from the executives of Air Europa and its parent firm Globalia. The pressure group connected her activity with the €475 million government bailout the airline company received in 2020 as it struggled to survive the Covid-19 outbreak.
Despite Gomez not making any comment on the allegations, the parent group Globalia also declined to make any comment on these allegations.
However, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez went on to link the judicial decision with the hate and toxicity of the Spanish politics which has reached unprecedented heights since July’s election.
Pedro Sanchez stated that ‘In short, this is an operation of harassment and demolition by land, sea and air to try and weaken me politically and personally by attacking my wife.’
He further stated that ‘his wife would “defend her honour” and cooperate with the justice authorities. He insisted that the allegations against her centred on events that were “non-existent”.’
Spanish PM attacks the campaign Group Manos Limpias
The Spanish leader stated in a statement that ‘the complaint was based on “alleged reporting” by news sites whose political leanings he described as “overtly right-wing and far-right”.’
Pedro Sanchez also criticized and accused his political rivals- Santiago Abascal, leader of the far-right Vox party, and Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the leader of the conservative People’s Party (PP) for joining forces with the pressure group Manos Limpias.
He futher stated that ‘I need to stop and think about it … All of which leads me to tell you that I will keep working, but cancel all my public duties for a few days while I decide which path to take. Next Monday, 29 April, I’ll appear before the media to let you know my decision.’
However, the chain of events led the Spanish leader to do some thinking before answering any questions related to the allegation.
Sanchez Receives Support From His Colleagues
The Spanish premier’s use of words received a lot of support from his colleagues and allies. Teresa Ribera, the environment minister and deputy prime minister of Spain stated that ‘Not everything goes in politics. We have a first-rate prime minister. Neither he nor his family deserve this. And neither does Spain.’
While the labour minister and leader of Sánchez’s coalition companions on the Sumar platform Yolando Diaz stated that ‘This right-wing offensive can’t get its way. We need to defend democracy, the progressive bloc and the legitimacy of a coalition government that’s done so much to improve people’s lives.’
