Wife of Spanish PM forbidden to leave country as corruption probes pile up

Key Points:

• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faces increasing political pressure as his wife, Begoña Gómez, has been ordered to stand trial for corruption-related charges, including embezzlement and influence peddling, which they both deny.
• The investigation into Gómez began in 2024 after a complaint from a far-right linked anti-corruption group, leading to restrictions on her travel and court reporting requirements, sparking debate over the judge's measures and perceived politicization of the case.
• Sánchez's governing Socialist party (PSOE) has been hit by multiple scandals, including police raids on party headquarters and investigations involving close allies and family members, undermining his fragile ruling coalition.
• Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo has called for Sánchez's resignation amid these scandals, with polls indicating the conservative People's Party could win the next election, though Sánchez benefits from constitutional protections requiring parliamentary support for his removal.
• Despite low public support and coalition instability, Sánchez remains determined to complete his term, relying on complex coalition dynamics and hoping for favorable outcomes in ongoing legal cases.