A criminal investigation into the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has escalated, with a judge ordering the seizure of Begoña Gómez’s passport and requiring her to appear in court twice a month. Gómez is under investigation on suspicion that she used her position to help secure job contracts.
The case was triggered by a complaint from a labor union called Manos Limpias, which has ties to the far right and a record of filing lawsuits against people it sees as threatening Spain’s democratic interests. Sánchez has repeatedly dismissed the allegations against his wife as politically motivated and baseless, and he has accused political and media rivals of targeting his family while openly questioning the impartiality of some judges.
The case is one of several corruption investigations that are either nearing trial or already in court, adding pressure on Sánchez, one of the few remaining left-wing leaders in Europe. Although he is not named in any of the cases, he has said they are part of a campaign to drive him from office.
Several close allies are also under investigation, including the Socialist Party’s number three and Sánchez’s former transport minister. Those cases involve alleged bribery connected to public works, oil and gas contracts, and mask procurement during the pandemic. All have denied wrongdoing.
