Spain's PM Sánchez's Wife to Stand Trial on Influence Peddling Charges

Spain's Supreme Court has ruled that Begoña Gómez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, must stand trial on charges of influence peddling and corruption. This decision marks a significant blow to the government, which has been embroiled in corruption investigations for months.

Gómez's lawyers had appealed the initial decision, seeking to have the charges dismissed and restrictive measures lifted. The Supreme Court rejected a third charge of business corruption but upheld the two primary accusations. These charges stem from complaints filed by far-right organizations, alleging that Gómez used her position as the prime minister's wife to secure contracts and professional benefits.

Prime Minister Sánchez, who had considered resigning in April 2024 following the initiation of the investigation, has publicly supported his wife. His office stated that Gómez is innocent and that the case is politically motivated and based on false information. Sánchez himself exercised his right to remain silent when summoned as a witness, as permitted by Spanish law for relatives of defendants.

Gómez, who until autumn 2024 directed a master's program in business administration, is accused of leveraging her husband's position to secure her role at the Complutense University of Madrid and obtain funding. She is also alleged to have misappropriated university software and used a prime ministerial aide for personal academic activities. The Supreme Court confirmed that a jury will hear the case, a procedure in Spain reserved for a limited number of offenses, including influence peddling.

This case unfolds amid other legal troubles for individuals connected to the ruling party. Sánchez's brother, David, was recently banned from public office for nine years for administrative misconduct. Furthermore, two former close associates of the prime minister, Santos Cerdán and ex-Minister of Transport José Luis Ábalos, face corruption charges, with Ábalos already sentenced to 24 years. Former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is also accused of influence peddling and bribery, intensifying the political climate.

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Begoña Gómez is innocent.