Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced that he will be taking a break from his public duties until next week to reflect on whether he should continue leading the government. This decision comes following a probe opened against his wife, Begoña Gomez, by a Spanish court.
The probe, initiated at the request of a far-right organization called Manos Limpias (Clean Hands), is investigating alleged crimes of influence peddling and corruption in Gomez's business dealings. Sanchez stated that his wife will defend herself and cooperate with the judicial system, emphasizing that the complaint appears to be based on information from certain right and far-right digital media sources.
Sanchez plans to announce his decision on whether to remain as prime minister next Monday in a press conference. The Madrid regional Superior Court of Justice confirmed that a judge had initiated the probe against Gomez for alleged influence peddling and business corruption, with the investigation currently under seal.
Sanchez, who leads a coalition government with a narrow parliamentary majority, faces scrutiny from opposition parties. Javier Maroto of the conservative Popular Party suggested that Sanchez's announcement was a strategic move ahead of potential elections, dismissing it as a 'pre-campaign event.'
The Socialist Party, headed by Sanchez, recently secured victories in regional elections in the Basque region and is expected to perform well in upcoming elections in Catalonia. However, nationalist parties in both regions also hold significant support among voters, adding complexity to the political landscape.
