Mr. Sanchez called the charges against his wife a “stalking operation”; Photo: PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARQU/AFP via Getty Images
Spain's prime minister has announced he will not resign, admitting he was driven by emotion when he suspended his duties after an investigation was launched into his wife corruption.
Pedro Sánchez told Spaniards in a “letter to citizens” last Wednesday that he needed to decide whether remaining in charge of the government was “worth it” in light of corruption charges brought against Begoña Gómez, his wife.
“I have decided to continue, perhaps even with greater strength, as prime minister of Spain,” Mr. Sanchez said in a televised address from his official residence in Moncloa.
On Monday Mr Sanchez admitted his decision to pause his political activities was “unusual” and said it was a purely emotional reaction and not a “political calculation”.
Last week in relation to Mr Ms. Gomez has opened a preliminary investigation into allegations of trade influence and business corruption based on reports published by what Mr. Sanchez called “a constellation of ultra-conservative news outlets.”
In short, this is an operation of harassment and destruction by land, sea and air to try to weaken me politically and personally by attacking my wife,” Mr. Sanchez said in his letter last week.
& #39; Smear campaign'
At a news conference Monday, he said he and his wife are aware that what he considers a “smear campaign” will continue, but said the fight for political decency must be won.< /p>< p>“We either say that enough is enough, or we risk that the degradation of public life will determine the future of the country.”
Mr Sanchez said he would open a “new chapter” in Spanish political life. to “put an end to political filth” but gave no details of what that would entail.
Opposition parties also demanded an explanation from Mr Sanchez over reports that a private university was running a teaching Ms. Gomez's center received sponsorship from the conglomerate, whose airline subsidiary received emergency funds during the pandemic.
She also signed documents in support of a consortium seeking government contracts for vocational training programs.
Neither Ms Gomez nor Mr Sanchez denied the claims, although the prime minister stressed that Spain's conflict interests cleared him of any wrongdoing related to the decision to provide funds to Air Europa.
Mr Sanchez also said Ms Gomez had sued newspapers that published “false information”.< /p> >Ministers urge Sanchez not to resign
Over the weekend, ministers and government supporters called on Sánchez not to resign, and Sánchez's Socialist Party organized a rally in support of the prime minister outside the organization's headquarters in Madrid.
Yolanda Díaz, labor minister and leader of the Zumar party. , the junior partner of Spain's left-wing coalition, said it was not just about supporting Sánchez, but also about defending the democratic system and respect for the election results and the parliamentary system.
“Spain is not mobilizing to save a party or a government, but rather to protect rights.”
The conservative opposition People's Party (PP), which won elections last July but failed to assemble a parliamentary majority, has said it is ready to end what it sees as a crisis of governance under Mr Sánchez.
“Spain deserves a calm and mature prime minister, and it will have one,” he said. Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the People's Party, accused Sánchez of “navel gazing” and “narcissism” for keeping the country guessing for five days.
Mr Feijoo said in his address to that , which he called “narcissistic.” outraged by Spain” that with his “feigned resignation” Mr Sánchez had “fooled this nation of 48 million Spaniards, and I do not share that approach to politics.”
Since 2018, governments under Mr Sanchez have pursued progressive policies, more than doubling the national minimum wage, extending parental leave and reducing temporary work contracts.
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