Spain’s Prime Minister considers resigning after his wife is investigated

“I need to stop and reflect to decide whether to continue leading the government or give up this honor,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote in a letter posted on social network X on April 24.

Mr. Sanchez, 52 years old, said he would announce the decision on April 29 and suspend the public agenda until then.

The announcement by the Spanish Prime Minister was made after the court in Madrid opened an investigation of Ms. Begona Gomez, Mr. Sanchez’s wife, on charges of abusing influence in exchange for benefits and corruption in business activities. joint. The investigation stemmed from a complaint by anti-corruption group Manos Limpias.

Spanish media reported that investigators were looking into Ms. Gomez’s ties to a number of private companies that received money or contracts from the government, including Spanish tourism group Globalia, which owns Air Europa airline.

Ms. Gomez is said to have met privately with Globalia’s CEO in 2020, when the group was negotiating a multimillion-dollar rescue package with the government amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Sanchez’s government then announced the creation of a 10 billion euro ($10.6 billion) fund to support strategic companies most affected by the pandemic.

In November 2020, the Spanish cabinet approved a 475 million euro ($507 million) bailout for Air Europa, the country’s first large company to receive support money.

Prime Minister Sanchez stated in the letter that Manos Limpias’s denunciation was based on “non-existent” facts, part of a “harassment” campaign against his wife led by ultra-conservative media outlets, supported by Conservative and far-right opposition supported.

“I’m not naive. I know they are bringing charges against Begona not because she did anything illegal, but because she is my wife. They know my wife has done nothing wrong,” he said. stated further.

Mr. Sanchez also accused opposition People’s Party (PP) leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo and far-right party leader Vox Santiago Abascal of collaborating with those who made accusations against his wife.

Responding to this allegation, Feijoo said Prime Minister Sanchez is trying to blame opposition parties. “The Prime Minister has legal problems and is avoiding responsibility. What he should do is give an explanation. If his wife has nothing to fear, she should go to court to prove her innocence.” , he said.

Some members of Prime Minister Sanchez’s cabinet arrived at his residence on the evening of April 24. Ministers expressed their support for him.

“The right wing cannot succeed. We must protect democracy, the progressive bloc and the legitimacy of the coalition government that has greatly improved people’s lives,” said Labor Minister Yolanda Diaz. .

Huyen Le (According to AFP, Reuters)