“Smear Campaign Led by Far-Right Forces Sánchez to Consider Resignation”
An investigation into allegations of abuse of power and corruption against Sánchez's wife, which the Spanish Prime Minister denied, stating that the complaint is not based on any facts
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who has been in power since 2018, condemned on Wednesday a complaint based on “non-existent” facts and a “harassment” campaign led by “extremist” media and supported by the right-wing and far-right opposition against his wife, Begoña Gómez.
In a message posted on the “X” platform, Sánchez announced that he is “thinking” about the possibility of resigning after the opening of an investigation against his wife on charges of abuse of power and corruption.
He said, “I need to stop and think” to make a decision “about whether I will continue to serve as Prime Minister or if I should relinquish this honor,” adding that he will announce his decision to the press on Monday, while suspending his activities until then.
This initial investigation against Begoña Gómez was opened on April 16 after a complaint from the association “Manos limpias” (Clean Hands), a group close to the far-right, according to a statement from the Supreme Court of Madrid, which specified that the matter is under “confidential investigation.”
The Spanish Prime Minister stated, “I am not naive… I am aware that they are filing a complaint against Begoña, not because she has done anything illegal, as they know very well that this is not true, but because she is my wife.”
According to “El Confidencial,” which revealed the information, this investigation focuses on Begoña Gómez’s ties to the Spanish tourism group “Globalia,” the owner of the airline “Air Europa,” while the latter was negotiating with the government to obtain assistance in the face of a significant decline in air traffic due to the Covid pandemic.
At the time, Begoña Gómez chaired the “AI Africa” center linked to the Business School of the “IE” University in Madrid, but she left this position in 2022.
According to “El Confidencial,” the “center signed a sponsorship agreement with Globalia in 2020,” while Begoña Gómez participated in a “private meeting with its CEO, Javier Hidalgo, while Globalia was negotiating a rescue plan worth millions of euros with the government” of Pedro Sánchez.
This plan allowed the airline “Air Europa” to receive 475 million euros in November 2020 from a fund of 10 billion dollars aimed at supporting strategic companies facing difficulties due to the health crisis.
Before securing the confidence of the Spanish Parliament for a new four-year term, Sánchez faced intense pressure from right-wing parties and lobbies hostile to Moroccan interests due to his commitment to strengthening the partnership between Rabat and Madrid, repeatedly reaffirming that Spain remains committed to its support for the Moroccanity of the Sahara and its support for the proposal for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the only solution to the artificial conflict.
After the renewal of confidence in him, the Spanish Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the friendly relations between his country and the Kingdom of Morocco, stating that activating the roadmap aimed at strengthening cooperation and consolidating relations with Rabat was one of his top priorities.
Sánchez‘s continuation in office dashed hopes of the separatist Polisario Front for a political change leading to a review by Madrid of its support for the Moroccanity of the Sahara, while both countries steadfastly continue on the path of enhancing partnership in all fields and coordinating on various common issues.
