Since the announcement on Wednesday of the opening of a preliminary investigation for “influence peddling” and “corruption” against his wife, Begoña Gómez, the Prime Minister had suspended his public activities. On Monday, he ended the suspense regarding a possible resignation, declaring to remain at the head of the government.
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The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, put an end to five days of uncertainty on Monday April 29. “I decided to continue”launched, in a serious tone, the 52-year-old socialist leader, in a solemn nine-minute speech delivered on the steps of the Moncloa Palace, in Madrid.
This announcement comes after a “discredit campaign” organized, according to the Prime Minister, by the right-wing opposition following the opening of a preliminary investigation against his wife Begoña Gómez for “influence peddling” and “corruption”. Franceinfo summarizes this affair for you.
1 Why is Begoña Gómez targeted by this investigation?
On April 16, a preliminary investigation for influence peddling and corruption was opened by the Madrid Superior Court of Justice against Begoña Gómez, the wife of Pedro Sánchez, following a complaint from the Manos limpias association (“Manos limpias”). Clean hands”). “Officially, it is a union of civil servants, but in reality, it is a structure close to the extreme right and Francoist circles.summarizes Antoine de Laporte, expert of Spanish political life, associated with the Jean-Jaurès foundation.
According to the online media El Confidencial, this investigation focuses on the links established by Begoña Gómez with the tourism group Globalia, owner of the airline Air Europa, at a time when the company was in talks with the government to obtain public aid during the Covid-19 pandemic . This company received, in November 2020, 475 million euros, reports the daily El País, from a 10 billion fund intended to support strategic companies in difficulty due to the pandemic. But dozens of others have received help, including several of its competitors.
The prosecution requested Thursday that this investigation be closedwhile the judge in charge of the case has not yet revealed his intentions. For its part, the association MAnos Limpias admitted that his complaint was based solely on press articles, without knowing whether this information was founded.
2 How did this case affect Pedro Sánchez?
Since the announcement of the opening of the investigation, Pedro Sánchez has remained silent and suspended all his travel and public activities. In an open letter published on the social network X, the socialist leader explained on April 24 that he was considering resigning to protect his family. “He dealt with current affairs with his chief of staff, but he lived a recluse with the only instructions: no sound and no images,” summarizes Antoine de Laporte.
In this letter, Pedro Sánchez denounces a complaint on facts “non-existent” and a campaign of “harassment” against his wife, carried out by media “ultraconservatives” and supported, according to him, by the Popular Party (right) and Vox (far right). The Prime Minister also criticizes the political exploitation of this affair and a campaign of destabilization: “I am aware of the fact that they are filing a complaint against Begoña not because she did something illegal (…) but because she is my wife.”
At the head of a heterogeneous and fragile coalition ranging from socialists to Basque and Catalan separatists, Pedro Sánchez is the recurring target of criticism from the right and the far right. But according to Antoine de Laporte, this affair marks a new stage in the polarization of the political class.
3Why did he decide not to resign?
Until Pedro Sánchez’s speech on Monday, Spain was held in suspense by his decision. “The day the letter was published, he had a clear idea: to resignanalyzes Antoine de Laporte. His close entourage convinced him to take the time to reflect, to sit down and reflect calmly with his family.”
Less than two days before announcing his decision, Pedro Sánchez received support from activists and executives of the Socialist Party. A demonstration was held in front of the party headquarters, bringing together thousands of supporters of the Prime Minister.
During this day of mobilization, party leaders took turns on the stage to renew their support for their leader. “To respond to all the slander and this campaign, you can count on the leadership [du Parti socialiste] and, of course, Pedro, for my support”assured the head of government of the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha, Emiliano García-Page. “Many observers explain that the political life of Pedro Sánchez is marked by brilliant coups, but it is really the mobilization of his electorate and his party that allows him to come back”analyzes the expert from the Jean-Jaurès Foundation.
In his speech, the Prime Minister denied everything “political calculation” and explained that his break of a few days was intended to push the country to undertake “a collective reflection” on the polarization of political life, in order to prevent “the misconception of leading the debate” audience.