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

Key Points:

• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faces mounting political pressure as his wife, Begoña Gómez, is ordered to stand trial for corruption, with restrictions imposed including passport surrender and mandatory court appearances.
• The corruption investigation, initiated by a far-right linked anti-corruption group, alleges Gómez exploited her marriage to Sánchez to advance her career, a claim both have denied, with Sánchez calling the case politically motivated.
• Sánchez’s Socialist party (PSOE) is also under scrutiny, with police raids on its headquarters and investigations targeting close allies, including former Prime Ministers and his own brother, further destabilizing his fragile coalition government.
• Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo has called for Sánchez’s resignation amid claims the government is in crisis, while polls suggest the conservative People’s Party could win the next election, potentially forming a majority with the far-right Vox party.
• Despite the challenges and declining support, Sánchez remains in office due to Spain’s constitutional protections, relying on complex coalition dynamics and hoping legal outcomes will favor him as political uncertainty continues.