Thousands of people from all over Spain headed to Madrid today for a demonstration in support of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. He announced on Wednesday that he was considering resigning in connection with an investigation into his wife’s possible conflict of interest. In a surprise statement posted on social media, he said he would retire for a few days to decide whether he wanted to continue as head of government. He did so in response to the opening of an investigation into possible corruption in business and private shops owned by his wife, Begoňa Gómez.
According to Sánchez, who has been at the head of the Spanish government since 2018, this is part of an ongoing smear campaign. Sánchez claims it is being waged against him and his family by political opponents. He denied the accusations against his wife and said he would announce a decision on his political future on Monday.
“Prime Minister, stay, Pedro, stay. We are with you,” Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister María Jesús Montero said at a meeting of the leadership of Sánchez’s PSOE socialist party. Sánchez’s supporters gathered in front of the party’s headquarters in Madrid and, to the sound of popular pop songs and waving flags, called on the prime minister to remain in office.
Opposition parties criticize Sánchez’s move. “I ask all citizens not to be misled. Spain has no problem. The one who has a problem with the courts is Sánchez, his government, his party and those around him. Let them solve it themselves,” said Alberto Núñez Feijóo, chairman of the opposition conservative People’s Party, at a meeting in Tarragona, Catalonia.
On Thursday, the Madrid prosecutor’s office proposed to postpone the investigation of Gómez. A higher instance will decide on the request.
