Spanish prime minister and socialist Pedro Sánchez considers resignation amid corruption rumors

Spain’s prime minister and most prominent socialist leader, Pedro Sánchez, has announced possible plans to resign his post, afterallegations of corruption surfaced against his wife.

Sánchez, who is currently the Secretary General of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party, unexpectedly canceled all his public activities until next week to “reflect” on his continuity at the head of the government.

The media bomb exploded early in the afternoon, when Sánchez used his X account (former Twitter) to report that he would take a break from his official duties. The reason: a judicial investigation opened against his wife, Begoña Gómez, for alleged crimes of influence peddling and corruption in his businesses.

“I need to stop and reflect [on] “if I should continue leading the government,” Sánchez wrote, unleashing a wave of speculation and reactions from all Spanish political and social sectors.

Sánchez pointed out that the complaint that has led to the investigation against his wife comes from the organization “Manos Cleans” and is based on “alleged information” published by right-wing digital media.

In this regard, Sánchez made it clear that his wife will defend herself and cooperate with law enforcement officials.

Just a few hours earlier, the Spanish government had applauded the good results of the Socialist Party in the recent regional elections in the Basque Country and was preparing to face the Catalan elections next month with a certain optimism.

But Sánchez's announcement has drastically changed the Spanish political landscape.

From the conservative opposition, the leader of the Popular Group party, Javier Maroto, was quick to describe the prime minister’s movement as a “pre-campaign act,”  insinuating that his real intention is to continue leading the executive.

However, in La Moncloa no one knows for sure what will happen next week when Sánchez appears before the media to announce his final decision. The situation has prompted the media to engage in widespread speculation as to whether Sanchez will resign from his position or continue to participate in the government.