Spanish Prime Minister may resign due to investigation into his wife: this is what is going on | Abroad

On Wednesday, Sánchez (52) announced on X that he will resign from his duties until April 29, in protest against “intimidation by political opponents”. Sánchez said he will think about his future as prime minister. The reason for this is the “continuous intimidation and bullying operation” that he says is being waged against him and his wife by political opponents and the media.

Earlier that day, the court in Madrid said it had opened a preliminary investigation into Sánchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez. She is said to have abused her husband’s position for private interests.

The accusation against Gómez came from the self-proclaimed trade union Manos Limpias (Clean Hands). Manos Limpias is a right-wing club that often files charges against people or groups they believe pose a threat to Spanish democracy.

The “union” charge is based on stories from right-wing news websites. On Thursday, Manos Limpias admitted that the charges may be based on incorrect reports. But the ultra-conservative, ultra-Catholic group Hazte Oír filed new charges a day later.

In his statement, Sánchez calls the charges against his wife “openly right-wing and extreme right-wing” and accuses his political opponents the People’s Party (PP) and Vox of involvement in the charges. The Prime Minister’s allies call his statement a last measure by “a man sick of the attacks on his wife”.

In addition to the accusation of corruption, there are also rumors from the right that Gómez is a trans woman, that she is involved in drug trafficking in Morocco and that her family works in prostitution.

Allies of the prime minister say his statement is proof that he is not a lying political machine as his opponents claim, but a devoted husband.

Those comments just did not impress the PP and Vox. According to Vox, the prime minister is appointing himself and must resign anyway. Javier Maroto, a senator representing the PP, says Sánchez is happy to play the “victim role”. According to the parties, Sánchez is only doing this for his own political gain.

Yet there are fears in Spain that Sánchez will decide to resign on Monday. The top of his party met on Saturday at the party office in Madrid. Deputy Prime Minister Montero asked Sánchez to stay on as Prime Minister. A demonstration took place outside with an estimated 12,500 party members and supporters participating. They also asked Sánchez to stay. They had come to the capital by bus from all over Spain.

Now the question is what will happen on Monday. If Sánchez steps down, a new prime ministerial candidate could emerge or new elections could be organized in the summer. If he does not resign, there is a chance that there will be a motion of no confidence in parliament. If he loses it, he has to resign. If he comes through, it will strengthen his position because it shows that there is still confidence in him.

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