Spanish Court Orders PM Pedro Sánchez’s Wife to Stand Trial in Corruption Case

A Spanish court has ordered Begoña Gómez , the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez , to stand trial on allegations of influence peddling and corruption , intensifying political tensions in Spain ahead of a general election expected next year .

Investigative judge Juan Carlos Peinado ruled on Saturday that Gómez must surrender her passport and appear before a court every two weeks, citing concerns that she could pose a flight risk . A date for the trial has not yet been announced.

Gómez is accused of using her position and public profile to influence the awarding of government contracts to a group of technology companies. She also faces allegations related to the misuse of public funds in the hiring of a consultant and the improper use of software during her tenure as a professor at a public university. Gómez has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

The case carries significant political implications for Sánchez, whose Socialist-led government has been in power since 2018. The prime minister has repeatedly dismissed the investigation as a politically motivated campaign orchestrated by conservative opponents seeking to weaken his administration.

The ruling triggered an immediate political backlash. Government officials condemned the decision as politically driven, while Spain’s Socialist Party described the proceedings as “an absolute scandal for democracy” and defended Gómez’s innocence.

Spain’s conservative opposition, led by the People's Party , seized on the development to renew calls for an early election . Opposition leaders accused the government of undermining democratic institutions and attempting to discredit the judiciary.

The investigation into Gómez began two years ago following complaints filed by Manos Limpias (Clean Hands) , a pressure group known for pursuing legal cases often linked to conservative causes. Judge Peinado also ordered that a businessman alleged to have benefited from the contracts under scrutiny, along with a consultant who worked for Gómez, face trial.

The case adds to the mounting legal and political challenges confronting Sánchez's government, making it one of the most closely watched controversies in Spanish politics.