Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has been summoned as a witness in a corruption investigation involving his wife, Begoña Gómez.
Sánchez will be questioned on July 30 by investigating judge Juan Carlos Peinado at the prime minister’s residence. A preliminary investigation was opened in April into whether Gómez used her government connections to further her private business interests.
The corruption and influence-peddling probe was launched following a complaint filed by Manos Limpias, or “Clean Hands,” a platform with links to ultranationalist groups notorious for filing legal complaints linked to far-right causes. The groups can also be linked to the far-right Vox party, which also requested Sánchez be called as a witness in the case, according to the Madrid High Court.
Spanish law allows individual citizens or organizations to file complaints even if they are not directly affected by the alleged crime.
The Gómez case is widely seen as a political attack. An independent investigation by the Guardia Civil reported that it found no evidence of a crime.
While being summoned to testify does not impact Sánchez in his role as prime minister, the ongoing case against his wife is evidently taking its toll — with the premier threatening to resign in April. This latest episode is likely to strengthen the arguments of those on the left who say that Spain’s judiciary is politicized.
Politico
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