A Spanish court has formally charged Begoña Gómez, wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, with corruption. She faces four serious criminal counts: influence peddling, business corruption, misuse of public funds, and unlawful appropriation of assets.
The court considers that sufficient evidence has been gathered to refer the case to a jury trial. The charges are linked to Gómez’s activities at the Complutense University of Madrid, where she allegedly used her status as the prime minister’s wife to obtain preferential treatment, attract sponsors, and advance her private interests.
Investigators allege that Begoña Gómez:
Used her position to lead a master’s programme and chair a department at a public university;
Recruited major companies as sponsors;
May have derived personal benefit and improperly used public resources.
The investigation has been ongoing for approximately two years.
Pedro Sánchez and his inner circle have dismissed the investigation as politically motivated, describing it as part of a “lawfare” campaign against the government. Begoña Gómez herself categorically denies all charges brought against her.
The defence intends to appeal the court’s decision to a higher instance.
The scandal surrounding the prime minister’s wife has long sparked heated debate in Spain. Sánchez’s government, which relies on a parliamentary minority, has repeatedly faced intense pressure from the opposition over this case. Many observers believe the proceedings could significantly affect the country’s political stability and the standing of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party.