Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez has declared that he will not quit as the country’s leader after a period of reflection about his future.
Sanchez made the announcement five days after a court stated that it would investigate his wife, Begona Gomez, for influence peddling and business corruption, allegations he said were false and orchestrated by his right-wing opponents.
After the court said that it had opened a preliminary investigation into his wife, Sanchez posted a letter to social media, explaining that he was withdrawing from his public duties for a few days to weigh up whether or not he wanted to remain in office.
The announced probe followed a complaint from the pressure group, Manos Limpias (Clean Hands), a self-styled trade union with far-right links that has a long history of using the courts to pursue those it deems to be acting against Spain’s democratic interests.
Manos Limpias has accused Gómez of using her influence as the wife of the Prime Minister to secure sponsors for a university master’s degree course that she ran.
Prosecutors in Madrid have already asked the court to throw out the case for lack of evidence, but a judge will decide whether the investigation proceeds.
Nonetheless, after meeting with King Felipe VI on Monday, April 29, 2024, a step that would have been necessary should he have decided to resign, Sanchez announced in a televised address that he had informed the Monarch of his decision to carry on as Prime Minister despite the attacks he and his family have had to endure.
“In my letter, I asked whether it was worth carrying on as Spain’s Prime Minister given all the abuse that my family has suffered over the past 10 years,” he said.
“Today, after these days of reflection, the answer is clear to me,” he averred.
Sanchez said that he and his wife had been greatly moved by the public response to his letter and by the rallies of support in Madrid over the weekend.
“It is thanks to this social mobilisation that has so decisively influenced my reflections – and of which I am once again grateful – that I want to let you know what I’ve decided.
“As I told the head of state this very morning, I have decided to stay on as Spain’s Prime Minister and to stay on with even more strength than before – if that’s possible.”
Pedro Sanchez
Sanchez Urges End To Political And Media Attacks
Moreover, the Spanish Prime Minister called for an end to political and media attacks and to the culture of mud-slinging and slanderous rumours and lies that had permeated Spanish public life over the past few years.
“There’s only one way to turn this situation around – and that’s for the social majority to mobilise as it has over the past five days in favour of dignity and common sense, putting an end to the shameful politics we’ve endured for too long,” he said.
“Today, I’m asking Spanish society for us once again to set an example for a convulsed and wounded world because the evils that afflict us are far from exclusive to Spain.
“They are part of a global reactionary movement that wants to impose its retrograde agenda through defamation and falsehoods, through hatred and through stirring up fears and threats that have nothing to do with science or reason.”
Pedro Sanchez
However, Santiago Abascal, the leader of the far-right Vox party, described the Prime Minister’s recent behaviour as shameful, cynical and dangerous.
“For the past five days, Spaniards have been subjected to a crude, shocking and victim-playing piece of theatre that has shamed us internationally,” he said.
He added, “Sánchez’s decision to carry on is a reaffirmation of his coup against unity, against coexistence, against the rule of law, against the separation of powers, and against the freedom of the press.”
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