Spain is experiencing political unrest and could be heading for new elections. The reason was Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s announcement that he would suspend his official duties for a few days. A court had previously announced that a preliminary investigation would be opened against his wife Begoña Gomez. The aim is to investigate whether she is guilty of corruption in private transactions.
Socialist Sánchez, who leads a minority government backed by regional parties, plans to announce on Monday whether he will remain in office. Political scientist Lluis Orriols from Carlos III University in Madrid explained that parliament could choose a new head of government if he steps down. However, given the fragmented majority, new elections are more likely.
As reported, Sánchez said in a letter on Wednesday evening that he “had to stop and think.” Because when asked whether it was worth continuing or giving up the government, he ‘urgently needed an answer’.
Attacks the opposition
Sánchez spoke of serious attacks from the right-wing camp to which he and his wife were exposed. These required a cautious response. His wife will cooperate with investigators and prove her innocence. In the letter, Sánchez also attacked opposition leader Alberto Nuñez Feijóo of the People’s Party (PP) and Santiago Abascal of the far-right Vox party. The head of government said they had “collaborated” with those who spread the accusations against his wife.
The “Letter to the Citizens” was published on Platform
Corruption hunters reported Gomez
The court’s assessment was based on an advertisement by the group Manos Limpias – “clean hands”. In it, Sánchez’s wife is accused of accepting favors from the airline Air Europa and its Spanish holding company Globalia during her time as head of an African research center at the IE Business School in Madrid until 2022: This is evident from a document obtained by the radio station Cadena Ser, published on his website.
IE said in a statement that it has never received financial support from Globalia or its subsidiaries. Globalia did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on Wednesday. Manos Limpias is committed to the fight against corruption. Its leadership has ties to the right-wing camp.
The public prosecutor requested that the investigation be stopped
There was good news for Sánchez’s wife on Thursday. The Public Prosecution Service in Madrid requested that the preliminary investigation against her be stopped, Spanish media report. At the same time, the Public Prosecution Service on Thursday appealed against the recognition of the corruption complaint against Sánchez’s wife, it was said. A justice spokesperson confirmed this information. The position of the public prosecutor has weight. However, only the judge will decide whether to initiate a formal investigation.
Sánchez takes political risks. Last year he called new elections after his Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) performed poorly in regional elections. In the early elections in July, his PSOE made surprising gains, but was overtaken by the conservative People’s Party. With the support of left-wing and regional parties, Sánchez was still able to remain in office. In return, he accepted an amnesty for Catalan separatists, which is controversial in Spain.
Experts do not believe in retreat
Most analysts don’t believe the shrewd tactician will back down. “Throwing in the towel does not suit Sánchez,” was said in unison in a panel on state television RTVE. Even for the consolation prize of a high position in Brussels, he would hardly give up. RTVE star presenter Silvia Intxaurrondo pointed out that Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa resigned last year after reports of a judicial investigation that later turned out to be unfounded.
However, almost all analysts agree that Sánchez cannot simply go to the agenda on Monday after his sensational ‘letter to the public’. The most likely thing is that he will ask parliament for a vote of confidence, wrote the newspaper ‘La Vanguardia’, among others. “Even the fiercest critics recognize his great strategic ability to pull rabbits out of the hat and rise again and again while he was already dead and buried.”
It cannot be ruled out that Sánchez will run again in new elections. Under the constitution, he cannot announce this until the end of May, after a year has passed since his last announcement of new elections. The elections would then take place again at the end of July, in the middle of summer.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
