Spain's PM Sanchez pauses public duties to 'reflect' on future
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced a temporary pause of his public duties to deliberate on his future in government leadership. This decision follows the initiation of a court investigation into allegations of influence peddling and business corruption related to his wife Begonia Gomez's private activities. Sanchez made this announcement in response to a court's preliminary investigation into his wife's involvement in a possible influence peddling and corruption case. The inquiry, as reported, is based on allegations that Gomez utilized her status to secure sponsorships for a university course she managed, prompted by a complaint from the anti-corruption group Manos Limpias. In a public statement, Sanchez expressed his intention to weigh the seriousness of these accusations and their impact on his capacity to lead. He committed to addressing the media with his resolution on the matter. Meanwhile, the legal proceedings remain confidential, with the court providing scant details on the ongoing investigation. Sanchez, who has previously taken bold political steps, including a snap election and controversial amnesty deals, underscored his trust in the justice system and his wife's cooperation with the investigative process. He criticized the opposition for what he perceives as their role in amplifying the accusations leveled against his family, highlighting the highly charged and divisive political climate in Spain.