Public prosecutors in Madrid have requested the dismissal of a preliminary inquiry into Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez. This decision came shortly after Sánchez announced that he would be suspending his duties to consider his future in office.
The prosecutors argued that there was insufficient evidence in the complaint brought against Gómez by a right-wing anti-corruption group. The group, known as Manos Limpias (Clean Hands), led by Miguel Bernad, has since acknowledged that the allegations against Gómez may be false.
Sánchez expressed his frustration with the situation, citing “unprecedented slander and harassment from the right and far-right.” He emphasized that his wife would cooperate with the judiciary to refute the claims, and he would make a decision regarding his political future on Monday.
The opposition from the Madrid prosecutors provides a glimmer of hope for Sánchez as he contemplates his next steps. However, the legal process may still take time to come to a resolution.
The allegations against Gómez reportedly involve accusations of influence peddling and corruption, particularly in relation to her connections with private companies that received government funds or public contracts. The complaint was initially based on information from various news sources.
This development has put Sánchez’s leadership under scrutiny, especially with important elections on the horizon. The Prime Minister’s Socialist party is gearing up for the European Parliament elections in June and regional elections in Catalonia next month.
Sánchez leads a coalition government that relies on the support of Catalan separatist parties. Without their backing, his ability to remain in power would be compromised. The controversial amnesty granted to Catalan leaders, including Carles Puigdemont, has sparked outrage among opposition parties.
