An investigation into Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s wife, Begona Gomez, for corruption and influence peddling has raised questions about his leadership. The investigation was opened after a complaint by an organization called Clean Hands, which alleged that Gomez had ties to private companies that received government funding or public contracts.
Sanchez has canceled his public agenda and will announce his decision on Monday, April 29. The prime minister expressed his concerns in an open letter to citizens, questioning whether to continue leading the government amid the accusations against his wife.
Gomez is being linked to a Spanish tourism group Globalia, which owns Air Europa. She reportedly met with the CEO of Globalia before the government granted a bailout to Air Europa. Sanchez participated in the decision-making process that authorized the bailout.
The organization behind the complaint, Manos Limpias, has been known for its involvement in political issues. The government has dismissed the allegations against Gomez, calling them baseless and part of a strategy by the right and far-right parties. However, this controversy comes at a time of strong political polarization in Spain, particularly after the July elections.
The tensions have increased after Sánchez secured power with the support of Catalan separatists in exchange for an amnesty agreement. The situation has sparked a debate about the future of the government and Sanchez’s leadership. Sanchez is expected to make a decision about his resignation in the coming days.
In conclusion, Sánchez faces criticism over his wife’s alleged corruption and influence peddling during her tenure as First Lady of Spain from 2016 to 2018 when she was also given several public appointments while her husband was Prime Minister.