Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, will face trial following accusations of corruption and influence peddling. The ruling was delivered by a judge on Saturday.
Gómez came under scrutiny in 2024 when an anti-corruption group filed a complaint. The group accused her of backing a public contract bid by companies with which she had personal connections. Despite her denials, the Madrid judge found substantial evidence to proceed with the trial.
Judge Juan Carlos Peinado formally charged Gómez with embezzlement, corruption, misappropriation of funds, and influence peddling. The court ordered her to surrender her passport and report every 15 days. No trial date has been set yet.
In his 84-page ruling, Judge Peinado criticized such misconduct, drawing parallels with regimes of the past. Spain’s justice system permits direct complaint filings, leading to judicial investigations and decisions on proceeding to trial. Right-wing and far-right groups, including Vox, have supported the complaint against Gómez.
Prime Minister Sánchez defended his wife, labeling the investigation as politically motivated. Though contemplating resignation initially, he dismissed it as a smear campaign, remaining steadfast. His leadership, notably popular internationally with liberals, faces recurring corruption allegations domestically.
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