During the weekend, demonstrations were held in support of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez as speculation mounted about his potential resignation. Despite the rumors, Sanchez announced that he would continue in his position. News outlets such as BBC and Politico reported on the development.
The controversy surrounding Sanchez centers on allegations of corruption against his wife, Begoña Gómez. An organization called Clean Hands accused Gómez of misusing her position as the prime minister’s spouse. A preliminary investigation has been launched by the Spanish court into these allegations. However, Clean Hands has since admitted that the accusations against Gómez may have been unfounded, as they were based on stories from online magazines.
Sanchez took a temporary step away from his duties for five days to reflect on his political future. In a speech on Monday, he denounced the allegations against his wife as part of a harassment campaign orchestrated by the right-wing media. His decision to remain in office brings stability to Spanish politics, as there is no clear successor for the Socialist leader and the opposition does not have enough support to form a right-wing government.
Resignation by Sanchez would have forced the formation of an interim government and new parliamentary elections during a crucial time, with the European Parliament elections taking place in June. Spain needs a strong negotiator for these elections, and Sanchez’s continuation ensures that the country can maintain its position in the EU discussions.