BREAKING: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will not resign
Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez (SPD/S&D), announced on Monday that he will not resign from his post after announcing last week he would consider the possibility as a Madrid judge opened an investigation against his wife, Begoña Gómez, for alleged corruption and influence peddling.
“I have decided to continue. This decision is not a semicolon; it is a full stop. I am taking the decision to continue with even greater strength, if possible, at the head of the Spanish government,” the prime minister said.
Sánchez came to power in 2018 following a vote of no confidence from left-wing parties against former prime minister Mariano Rajoy of the Spanish People’s Party (Partido Popular/EPP), the main opposition force.
He announced on Wednesday (24 April) that he was taking a few days of “reflection” to decide on his political future following the news that his wife was under investigation.
The complaint was filed by Clean Hands, a group founded by Miguel Bernad, a lawyer and former politician with links to the Spanish far-right, who admitted on Thursday that the allegations against Gómez were based on right-wing and far-right news reports.
Snap elections cannot be called as a year has not passed since the last election (29 May 2023). This means a new investiture session will start where a candidate for head of government will be presented to King Felipe VI.
The decision comes at a crucial time with less than six weeks before the European elections, and with Catalan elections scheduled for 12 May.
Sánchez urged by party colleagues not to resign
Supporters and members of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s party have called on him not to resign as he is expected to announce his decision on Monday, while rumours of him eyeing the role of European Council President continue to simmer.
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