Serious criminal suspicions are now being directed at the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s wife, who, according to a judge in Madrid, is being indicted on multiple counts of corruption following a years-long investigation.

Begoña Gómez, 55, has been indicted on suspicion of, among other things, embezzlement, undue influence, corruption in business relations, as well as the improper use of public funds.

The investigation has been ongoing for two years and is led by Judge Juan Carlos Peinado in Madrid. According to the suspicions, Gómez is alleged to have used her position as the Prime Minister’s wife to obtain and hold a post at Complutense University in Madrid, and to have used public resources and contacts for private purposes.

Her personal assistant Cristina Álvarez and businessman Juan Carlos Barrabés are also included in the indictment. All have so far denied any wrongdoing.

Judge: Her position may have benefited decisions

In his ruling, the judge points out that public decisions advantageous to the relevant venture may have been made because Gómez exploited her relationship with those in power.

He states that this was particularly true after Sánchez became leader of the Socialists – and even more so after he became Prime Minister.

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The judge also criticizes behaviors connected to the Prime Minister’s office, the Moncloa Palace, which he says resemble the exercise of power seen in more authoritarian systems.

Sánchez dismisses the accusations

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has repeatedly dismissed the allegations against his wife, calling them politically motivated.

He has also criticized both political opponents and parts of the judiciary, whom he believes are running a campaign against him and his family. During a visit to China, he commented on the situation.

– What I ask of the judiciary is that it serves justice. I am convinced that time will put everything and everyone in their place.

Several legal proceedings surrounding the government

The case comes at a time when several other legal proceedings concern people close to Sánchez. His younger brother, David Sánchez, is expected to stand trial on suspicion of undue influence related to a post he was awarded in local politics.

In addition, a major corruption trial is underway against former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos, who, along with others, is suspected of having received bribes in connection with public procurements during the pandemic.

Notable migration policy

The investigation is occurring in an already politically tense climate. The government has previously faced criticism after deciding on a comprehensive amnesty for around 500,000 illegal immigrants and asylum seekers.

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The decision, pushed through by royal decree without parliamentary approval, means that hundreds of thousands of people in the country may obtain legal status without individual assessment. To qualify, among other things, one must have resided in Spain for a certain time and have no criminal record.

The government has described the measure as a way to boost the economy and integration, while critics argue that it risks putting more strain on society and undermining the legal system – problems that could spill over to other EU countries when these individuals are subject to the Union’s rules on free movement.

Prime Minister Sánchez himself has argued that Spain needs migration to ensure growth and welfare, which has further fuelled the political debate. Opponents claim there is no evidence that among the illegal population there are large numbers of people with skills needed by the Spanish labor market.

Decision on trial pending

The judge has now given the parties a few days to respond to the current indictment. After that, the court will decide whether the case should proceed to a jury trial.

How the process develops could be highly significant – not just legally but also politically – for the Prime Minister and his government, who are now shaken by several criminal scandals.

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