Spain's PM Pedro Sanchez considers resignation, halts public duties as wife faces corruption probe
File image of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his wife Begona Gomez.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that he is suspending his public duties to "stop and reflect" on whether he should continue holding the position after a preliminary inquiry, involving his wife Begona Gomez, was started by the court.
The prime minister, in a statement, said that he immediately needed to decide "whether I should continue to lead the government or renounce this honour".
The court stated that the investigation has been opened in response to the corruption claims made against Begoña Gomez.
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PM Sanchez said that his wifewillco-operatewith the judiciary and defend herself. “As is only logical, Begoña will defend her honour and will cooperate with the justice system as much as is necessary to clear up facts that are as scandalous in appearance as they are nonexistent," he said.
Taking to X, Sanchezsaid that a probewas opened against his wife Begoña Gomez, “at the request of a far-right organisation called Manos Limpias (Clean Hands) to investigate the alleged crimes of influence peddling and corruption in her business dealings.”
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The Spanish prime minister added that the complaint by Clean Hands was based on “alleged information” which was published by what he called “right and far-right” digital media.
In his post, PM Sanchez said, “I need to stop and reflect” about “ifI should continue leading the governmentor step down."
Anti-corruption campaignerManos Limpias (Clean Hands) hasparticipated in high-profile court cases in recent years.
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The Spanish prime minister stated that he willtake a decisionon hisfutureplans before the media personnel on Monday (April 29) after he reflects upon whether he should remain in office "despite the mud" that the right and far-right have been trying to turn politics into.
"Now that we’ve reached this point, the question I quite legitimately ask myself is, ‘isit all worth it?’ I sincerely don’t know. 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," PM Sanchez said.
In his statement, Sanchez further complained about a "strategy of harassment" over months which is aimed at politicallyweakening him and also targeting his wife personally.
(With inputs from agencies)