Amidst rising speculation about his potential resignation, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that he would continue in his position. Over the weekend, demonstrations were held in support of Sanchez, as news outlets such as BBC and Politico reported on the controversy surrounding his wife, Begoña Gómez. Gómez has been accused of corruption by an organization called Clean Hands, with allegations that she misused her position as the prime minister’s spouse.
Despite these accusations, Clean Hands has since admitted that they may have been unfounded, as they were based on stories from online magazines. Sanchez temporarily stepped aside from his duties for five days to reflect on his political future before making a decision to remain in office. In a speech on Monday, he denounced the allegations against his wife as part of a harassment campaign orchestrated by the right-wing media.
Sanchez’s 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.