MADRID — A Spanish judge has ordered Begoña Gómez, wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, to surrender her passport and remain in Spain as she faces trial on multiple corruption-related charges, marking a significant escalation in a widening series of legal probes affecting the prime minister’s political circle.
Judge Juan Carlos Peinado ruled on Saturday that Gómez must not leave the country and must report to court twice a month while proceedings continue. She is accused of embezzlement, influence peddling, corruption in business dealings, and misappropriation of funds, allegations tied to her work at a Madrid university and claims that she used her position as the prime minister’s spouse to advance professional interests.
Gómez denies any wrongdoing, as does Sánchez, who has described the investigation as politically motivated and an “obscene farce,” according to earlier public statements.
The case originated in 2024 after a complaint was filed by Manos Limpias, an anti-corruption group with reported ties to far-right circles, alleging influence peddling. The probe has since expanded into broader scrutiny of individuals connected to Sánchez’s political and personal network.
In a statement on X, Spanish Justice Minister Félix Bolaños criticized the ruling, calling it “a dreadful day for those of us who believe in justice” and saying “truth will ultimately prevail,” while reaffirming confidence in the judicial process.
The court decision comes amid mounting pressure on Sánchez and his ruling Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), which has faced multiple corruption investigations involving senior figures and institutions linked to the government.
Authorities have searched PSOE headquarters in Madrid as part of a separate inquiry into alleged misuse of party funds, including claims that money may have been used to finance efforts to discredit legal complaints against party officials and allies, according to Spain’s High Court.
Other investigations have also drawn in prominent figures associated with the Socialist political sphere. Former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is a suspect in a case involving allegations of organized crime, influence peddling, and document falsification tied to a loan to a small airline. He has denied wrongdoing.
Former transport minister José Luis Ábalos, a former Sánchez ally, is awaiting trial over allegations that he received kickbacks linked to procurement of COVID-19 face masks valued at about $60 million.
Sánchez’s brother, David Sánchez, is also on trial in Badajoz over allegations of influence peddling connected to a public appointment nine years ago. He denies the charges.
While Pedro Sánchez has not been formally accused in any of the cases, the accumulation of investigations has intensified political pressure on his minority coalition government. Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo of the conservative People’s Party (PP) has called the administration’s situation its “death throes” and urged Sánchez to resign.
Spain’s next general election is scheduled for August next year, although analysts say the governing coalition could collapse earlier due to internal tensions. Sánchez relies on support from a fragmented alliance that includes Catalan and Basque separatist parties as well as the left-wing Sumar bloc, both of which have expressed concern over ongoing corruption allegations.
If elections were held now, opinion surveys suggest the PP could emerge as the largest party, potentially forming a governing majority with the far-right Vox party, though Spain’s fragmented parliament makes coalition-building complex.
Sánchez, one of the European Union’s longest-serving leaders, remains in office under Spain’s constitutional system, which allows removal of a prime minister only through parliamentary support for an alternative government. For now, his political future remains uncertain as multiple legal cases continue to unfold around his administration and allies.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
