Wife of Spanish prime minister charged in corruption case

A corruption case involving Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez, has escalated sharply after a court formally charged her following a criminal investigation that has stretched on for years, according to a judicial ruling.

The inquiry is among several corruption cases touching the Socialist prime minister’s inner circle, including relatives and former close allies, and it has intensified pressure on his fragile minority coalition government.

Judge Juan Carlos Peinado launched the investigation in April 2024 to examine whether Ms Gómez used her status as Mr Sánchez’s wife for private benefit — an accusation both she and the prime minister have repeatedly denied.

At the heart of the case is the creation and running of a chair at Madrid’s Complutense University, which Ms Gómez co-directed, along with allegations that public resources and personal connections were used to further private interests.

In the ruling, the judge formally charged Ms Gómez with embezzlement, influence peddling, corruption in business dealings and misappropriation of funds.

“The chair served as a means of private professional development for the person under investigation,” Judge Peinado wrote.

The next step now rests with the courts, which must determine whether Ms Gómez will face trial.

Ms Gómez, who is accompanying Mr Sánchez on an official visit to China, has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Mr Sánchez has cast the accusations against his wife as part of a broader effort by the right wing to weaken his government.

Opposition parties, meanwhile, have renewed calls for his resignation.

The case began with a complaint lodged by an anti-corruption group with ties to the far right.

In a separate investigation, the prime minister’s brother, David Sánchez, has also been indicted over alleged influence peddling connected to his hiring by a regional government.

Adding to the strain, Mr Sánchez’s former right-hand man and ex-transport minister, José Luis Ábalos, went on trial this month over alleged kickbacks tied to public contracts.