Devendra Kumar
Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s prime minister, is considering his future in the wake of a corruption probe launched by a court into his wife’s private dealings. Sanchez, who secured another term as leader of a minority coalition government last year, is facing intense political pressure and media scrutiny as the investigation unfolds. The probe, which is preliminary and does not provide further details, is centered on allegations of influence peddling and corruption linked to his wife, Begona Gomez.
Sanchez has emphasized that his wife will cooperate with the investigation and defend her innocence, stating that the seriousness of the attacks against him and his wife merited a measured response. He has also taken aim at opposition leaders, accusing them of collaborating with those spreading claims against his wife. Sanchez’s ministers, including energy minister Teresa Ribera, have rallied around him, with Ribera declaring that Sanchez and his family deserve respect and not these vicious attacks.
Sanchez has a reputation for being a risk-taker, having frequently defied the odds to secure or maintain power. Last year, he called a snap election after his Socialist party performed poorly in regional elections. However, the current investigation has put his future in jeopardy, with some experts suggesting that if he were to step down, it is possible that parliament could choose another prime minister. However, the fractured nature of the parliament makes it unlikely that anyone would prevail, and more likely would be another general election, according to Lluis Orriols, a professor in political science at the Carlos III University in Madrid.
Sanchez’s far-right opponents, including Vox, have seized on the investigation, claiming that the prime minister has “bought” his government by amnestying activists involved in Catalonia’s independence drive. A source from Vox stated that Sanchez was “playing the victim” and reiterated the claim that he had bought his government. Another Vox source added that Sanchez should resign before reflecting on his future. The opposition’s aggressive stance has added to the political pressure surrounding Sanchez, as he faces difficult decisions about his future as prime minister.