Woman under investigation, Spanish prime minister announces he will remain in office

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez put an end to speculation Monday about his future, announcing he will continue to remain in office “even stronger”

Mr. Sánchez shocked Spain last Wednesday when he announced that he would take five days to think about his future, following the court's decision to launch preliminary investigations into his wife on corruption allegations.

“I have decided to stand with even more force at the head of the government of Spain”, He said in a televised speech after informing earlier of his decision-making King Felipe VI.

If he had resigned, Europe would have lacked a prime minister known by the socialist ranks on the eve of the June elections, at a time the centre of cheese continues to boost its impact.

The prime minister said the decision would bring changes, but without giving any details of the steps he will take to limit, what he named a <x0-mechaneous slander campaign” his family is facing.

Mr. Sanchez, who has served as prime minister of Spain since 2018, posted an emotional letter to the X social network last Wednesday before going to reflect, without worrying, at the Moncloa Palace, the prime minister's residence in Madrid.

He said that actions against his wife were an attack on the family and that he needed time to decide on his priorities.

In the letter, in which he expressed himself “equally in love with his wife, Begoña Gómez, he said he could not stand aside and see her become the object of a legal investigation on the basis of charges of a right-wing group that she had exploited her position to influence business deals.

The Manos Limpias group, or “Dated of Passtra”, acknowledged that the indictment was filed on the basis of publications in the written media. Spanish prosecutors said the indictment should not be accepted.

Speaking on the steps of the Moncloa Palace, Mr. Sánchez said he and his wife were conscious “that campaign to tarnish their image would not stop, but that he had decided he would not give opponents the satisfaction of his resignation.

He said gatherings in his favour during the last days had an impact on his decision-making.

In essence, he had 4 opportunities- to resign, seek vote of confidence by parliament, seek to hold new elections, or remain in office.

He said decisions to write the letter, cancel the public agenda and stay on duty “were not taken without political considerations”.

I am aware that I have witnessed a level of personal intimacy that is not usually allowed in politics”, He added.

Whether the decision not to resign was prompted primarily by concerns about the family or not, it is expected to have political impact on important regional elections in Catalan, after two weeks, as well as European elections.

His releases to the separatist parties in Catalonia with the goal of retaining power have dominated the political debate in Spain.

He donated himself a free election campaign through gatherings for five days. Those who backed him will be by his side until the end of”, says political analyst and constitutional law professor at the International University of Catalonia, Montserrat Nebrera, for the agency “Associated Press”.

This campaign seems to be meant to strengthen even more polarisation to the electors, between those who are pro and against them”, She said.

“The campaign was drafted in such a way as to influence the Catalan elections, as well as more European elections, which do not seem to be going for the Socialists”, The analyst adds.

Mr. Sánchez, 52, managed to form a left-wing coalition government in November to start another new four-year term.

Mr. Sánchez accused news portals that are politically lined up with the main conservative opposition party, the People's Party and the right-wing Vox party, of distributing them, which he called false “ ” claims, which led to the launch of investigations.

The People's Party said Mr. Sánchez's behaviour was inappropriate for a leader. The People's Party and Vox have named him Spain's dictator and traitor.