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A Spanish judge has ordered Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez, to stand trial over corruption allegations, surrender her passport and refrain from leaving the country. She has also been ordered to appear in court twice a month.
According to a CNN report, the investigation into Gómez has put Sánchez under political pressure, with a series of probes involving people close to him adding to the pressure on his government.
Judge Juan Carlos Peinado alleges that Gómez attempted to advance her professional position at a university in Madrid by using her husband’s political standing and influence. She faces allegations of embezzlement, influence peddling, corruption in business dealings and misappropriation of funds.
Both Gómez and Sánchez have denied all the allegations. The prime minister has claimed that the case against his wife is politically motivated, describing it as an “obscene farce.”
The investigation began in 2024 after Manos Limpias, an anti-corruption group with links to the right, filed a complaint accusing Gómez of influence peddling. At the time, Sánchez took several days away from his official duties to consider whether he would continue serving as prime minister.
Spanish Justice Minister Félix Bolaños has criticised the decision to put Gómez on trial. Reacting on social media platform X, he called it a terrible day for those who believe in justice, while expressing confidence that the truth would ultimately prevail.
In an editorial, Spanish newspaper El País said the investigation had been marked by excessively harsh measures, attempts to attract media attention and a lack of impartiality.
Meanwhile, corruption investigations are also targeting people close to Sánchez. Police recently raided the headquarters of his Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE). Investigators are examining possible misuse of party funds and whether money was used to cover legal expenses for political figures facing allegations.
