BREAKING: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will not resign

4 months ago 18

Est. 2min

29-04-2024 (updated: 29-04-2024 )

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News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

epa11286640 Spain's Prime minister Pedro Sanchez during a special meeting of the European Council in Brussels, Belgium, 18 April 2024. EU leaders gather in Brussels for a two-day summit to discuss the economy and competitiveness, among other issues. EPA-EFE/OLIVIER HOSLET

Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez (PSOE/S&D), announced on Monday that he will not resign from his post after announcing last week he would consider the possibility as a Madrid judge opened an investigation against his wife, Begoña Gómez, for alleged corruption and influence peddling.

“I have decided to continue. This decision is not a semicolon; it is a full stop. I am taking the decision to continue with even greater strength, if possible, at the head of the Spanish government,” the prime minister said.

He also called for collective reflection and a need to clean up toxicity from public discourse. The prime minister said he regretted that Spain’s right-wing forces, PP and VOX, had attacked his family but he promised he would carry out his duties regardless.

Sánchez came to power in 2018 following a vote of no confidence from left-wing parties against former prime minister Mariano Rajoy of the Spanish People’s Party (Partido Popular/EPP), the main opposition force.

He announced on Wednesday (24 April) that he was taking a few days of “reflection” to decide on his political future following the news that his wife was under investigation.

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The complaint was filed by Clean Hands, a group founded by Miguel Bernad, a lawyer and former politician with links to the Spanish far-right, who admitted on Thursday that the allegations against Gómez were based on right-wing and far-right news reports.

Among the various options on the table, asides from resignation, snap elections were not viable as a year has not passed since the last election (29 May 2023). Another option would have been calling a vote of confidence, which he would have likely won.

The decision comes at a crucial time with less than six weeks before the European elections, and with Catalan elections scheduled for 12 May.

Sánchez urged by party colleagues not to resign

Supporters and members of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s party have called on him not to resign as he is expected to announce his decision on Monday, while rumours of him eyeing the role of European Council President continue to simmer.

[Edited by Alice Taylor]